In a thrilling night of heavyweight boxing in Riyadh, former world champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker showcased their prowess, securing victories that re-established their credentials in the division.
The British boxing sensation, Joshua, delivered a masterful performance by stopping Sweden’s Otto Wallin, who was withdrawn by his corner after the fifth round in a lopsided bout.
Earlier in the evening, Joseph Parker claimed a unanimous points-decision victory over former world champion Deontay Wilder. The New Zealander dominated the match, securing judges’ scores of 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108.
This impressive display seemed to cast doubt on the pre-fight speculation that Wilder would face Joshua in their next bout.
Speculation had also circled around the idea that the victor between a Wilder-Joshua clash would potentially face the winner of the upcoming February showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
The latter two currently hold all the major versions of the world heavyweight title.
Despite the stakes and potential future matchups, Anthony Joshua remained focused on his own performance, stating to DAZN, “I wasn’t watching. I just focused on myself…Deontay, everything that he said about me, I could rip him apart right now, but I’m going to take the higher ground.”
This victory marked Joshua’s third win in 2023, following triumphs over Jermaine Franklin Jr in April and a seventh-round stoppage of Robert Helenius in August.
The win also improved Joshua’s professional record to 27 wins and three defeats, inflicting the first inside-the-distance loss of Wallin’s career.
The 34-year-old British boxer, aiming to become a three-time world champion, had faced setbacks with two defeats against Oleksandr Usyk and a shocking loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019.
Reflecting on his latest victory, Joshua nonchalantly described it as “not so much a throwback fight, just another day in the office,” emphasizing his commitment to doing whatever it takes to secure victory.
Meanwhile, Joseph Parker, after defeating Wilder, expressed gratitude for the outcome, stating, “Everyone had other plans but this is God’s plan.”
Parker, 31, improved his record to 34-3 with 23 knockouts and acknowledged the role of destiny in his boxing journey.
Wilder, acknowledging Parker’s performance, commented on his own efforts, “Well done Joseph, he did a great job avoiding my punches.”
Despite the loss, Wilder, at 38, expressed resilience, promising a comeback, and reflecting on his financial success, he concluded, “I’m a happy fighter. I’ll be back soon and if not, it’s been a pleasure.”
The night’s events added a new chapter to the ever-evolving narrative of the heavyweight division, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the future matchups that await these seasoned champions.
