Tag: Lyndon Arthur

Dmitry Bivol drops, shuts out Lyndon Arthur to set up possible unification fight

Dmitry Bivol shut out Lyndon Arthur to set up a possible showdown with Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship.

Dmitry Bivol didn’t get a knockout but he couldn’t have been much more dominating.

The light heavyweight titleholder and pound-for-pounder dropped overmatched Lyndon Arthur en route to winning a shutout decision in defense of his 175-pound title on a card featuring Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) dominated the fight from the beginning with his consistent jab, quick, straight right hands, an occasional body shot and his knack for avoiding his opponent’s best shots.

Arthur (23-2, 16 KOs) jabbed and threw some power shots but, fighting on his back foot almost the entire fight, he was more concerned with surviving — parrying Bivol’s punches, ducking out of the way or holding — than mounting an offense of his own.

That’s how Bivol was able to win round after round of a one-sided fight.

Bivol put Arthur down in the final seconds of Round 11, the result of a flurry of shots capped by a vicious left to the body that forced Arthur to take a knee. The Russian tried to finish the job in Round 12 with two salvos but the loser managed to stay on his feet.

All three judges scored it the same, 120-107. Boxing Junkie had the same score.

The consensus 2022 Fighter of the Year — after beating Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez.– could face fellow beltholder Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed championship next if Beterbiev gets past Callum Smith on Jan. 13.

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Dmitry Bivol drops, shuts out Lyndon Arthur to set up possible unification fight

Dmitry Bivol shut out Lyndon Arthur to set up a possible showdown with Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship.

Dmitry Bivol didn’t get a knockout but he couldn’t have been much more dominating.

The light heavyweight titleholder and pound-for-pounder dropped overmatched Lyndon Arthur en route to winning a shutout decision in defense of his 175-pound title on a card featuring Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) dominated the fight from the beginning with his consistent jab, quick, straight right hands, an occasional body shot and his knack for avoiding his opponent’s best shots.

Arthur (23-2, 16 KOs) jabbed and threw some power shots but, fighting on his back foot almost the entire fight, he was more concerned with surviving — parrying Bivol’s punches, ducking out of the way or holding — than mounting an offense of his own.

That’s how Bivol was able to win round after round of a one-sided fight.

Bivol put Arthur down in the final seconds of Round 11, the result of a flurry of shots capped by a vicious left to the body that forced Arthur to take a knee. The Russian tried to finish the job in Round 12 with two salvos but the loser managed to stay on his feet.

All three judges scored it the same, 120-107. Boxing Junkie had the same score.

The consensus 2022 Fighter of the Year — after beating Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez.– could face fellow beltholder Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed championship next if Beterbiev gets past Callum Smith on Jan. 13.

[lawrence-related id=40314,40289,40286,40296]

Photos: Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua weigh in for their fights on Saturday

Photos: Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua weighed in Friday for their separate fights on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua on Friday came in around their typical weights for their separate fights Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (pay-per-view).

Wilder tipped the scales at 213 pounds, 1½ less than he weighed for his first-round knockout of Robert Helenius in October. His opponent, Joseph Parker Jr., was 245¼.

Joshua weighed 251, 1 more than his weight for his seventh-round KO of Helenius in August. He’s fighting Otto Wallin, who weighed 238½.

The weights for other featured fights on the card:

  • Dmitry Bivol (174½) vs. Lyndon Arthur (174¼), light heavyweights
  • Filip Hrgovic (246) vs. Mark De Mori (242½), heavyweights
  • Jai Opetaia (198½) vs. Ellis Zorro (197½), cruiserweights
  • Daniel Dubois (239) vs. Jarrell Miller (333), heavyweights
  • Arslanbek Makhmudov (262) vs. Agit Kabayel (241¼), heavyweights
  • Frank Sanchez (238) vs. Junior Fa (279), heavyweights

Here are images from the weigh-in. All photos by Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images.

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Dmitry Bivol has eye on unification but must take care of other business first

Dmitry Bivol has an eye on a title-unification fight with Artur Beterbiev but he must win his fight on Saturday first.

Dmitry Bivol’s next big fight might be around the corner.

The boxing master from Russia, best known for taking down superstar Canelo Alvarez in May of last year, appears to be on a collision course with fellow 175-pound titleholder Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed championship.

That would be a dream matchup for hardcore boxing fans and have huge implications for the legacies of both men.

First things first, however. Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) is scheduled to defend his three belts against capable Callum Smith on Jan. 13.

And Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) is set to defend his belt against Lyndon Arthur (23-1, 16 KOs) on the pay-per-view card featuring Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua in separate bouts Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

If Beterbiev and Bivol win their fights, the ultimate showdown could take place next.

“It’s a big goal,” said Bivol, referring to a prospective fight against his countryman. “… When we signed the contract we discussed not only fighting against Lyndon Arthur, we discussed about another fight too for four belts. We discussed undisputed.

“They want to make this fight and they can make this fight. This is really good for me. It’s what I need.”

Arthur is a solid all-around boxer from England who has a split decision victory over two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde on his resume, although Yarde stopped him in four rounds in the rematch.

He has beaten four obscure opponents since his setback, including a 10th-round knockout of Braian Nahuel Suarez to win a minor title this past September.

Bivol insists that he’s taking nothing for granted on Saturday.

He turned 33 on Monday. He wants to be certain he gives himself a proper birthday gift in the ring.

“Every time I get in the ring, I think like this is the best opponent that I will face, and this is the hardest fight of my career,” Bivol said. “It helps me to be focused and take my training campy seriously.

“Preparation for this fight has been good. I spent my time in Kyrgyzstan for my training camp. It was a nice time and I had good sparring. I had my last sparring on Monday before my fight on Saturday. Everything is good.

“Lyndon Arthur a good fighter and he’s a well-schooled boxer. He uses his jab a lot and he moves well. This is going to be a good challenge for me. His record and his IBO belt are an extra motivation for me.

“I try to be the best version of myself every time I get in the ring. I hope we’re going to win another title. It’s a new challenge for me. Then I can celebrate my birthday properly. My celebration on Monday was two training sessions.”

If things goes well for him and Beterbiev, it’s boxing fans who could receive a proper gift.

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Dmitry Bivol has eye on unification but must take care of other business first

Dmitry Bivol has an eye on a title-unification fight with Artur Beterbiev but he must win his fight on Saturday first.

Dmitry Bivol’s next big fight might be around the corner.

The boxing master from Russia, best known for taking down superstar Canelo Alvarez in May of last year, appears to be on a collision course with fellow 175-pound titleholder Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed championship.

That would be a dream matchup for hardcore boxing fans and have huge implications for the legacies of both men.

First things first, however. Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) is scheduled to defend his three belts against capable Callum Smith on Jan. 13.

And Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) is set to defend his belt against Lyndon Arthur (23-1, 16 KOs) on the pay-per-view card featuring Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua in separate bouts Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

If Beterbiev and Bivol win their fights, the ultimate showdown could take place next.

“It’s a big goal,” said Bivol, referring to a prospective fight against his countryman. “… When we signed the contract we discussed not only fighting against Lyndon Arthur, we discussed about another fight too for four belts. We discussed undisputed.

“They want to make this fight and they can make this fight. This is really good for me. It’s what I need.”

Arthur is a solid all-around boxer from England who has a split decision victory over two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde on his resume, although Yarde stopped him in four rounds in the rematch.

He has beaten four obscure opponents since his setback, including a 10th-round knockout of Braian Nahuel Suarez to win a minor title this past September.

Bivol insists that he’s taking nothing for granted on Saturday.

He turned 33 on Monday. He wants to be certain he gives himself a proper birthday gift in the ring.

“Every time I get in the ring, I think like this is the best opponent that I will face, and this is the hardest fight of my career,” Bivol said. “It helps me to be focused and take my training campy seriously.

“Preparation for this fight has been good. I spent my time in Kyrgyzstan for my training camp. It was a nice time and I had good sparring. I had my last sparring on Monday before my fight on Saturday. Everything is good.

“Lyndon Arthur a good fighter and he’s a well-schooled boxer. He uses his jab a lot and he moves well. This is going to be a good challenge for me. His record and his IBO belt are an extra motivation for me.

“I try to be the best version of myself every time I get in the ring. I hope we’re going to win another title. It’s a new challenge for me. Then I can celebrate my birthday properly. My celebration on Monday was two training sessions.”

If things goes well for him and Beterbiev, it’s boxing fans who could receive a proper gift.

[lawrence-related id=40213,34013]

Wilder-Joshua-Bivol card in Saudi Arabia: Date, time, how to watch, background

Deontay Wilder-Anthony Joshua-Dmitry Bivol card in Saudi Arabia: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Deontay Wilder is scheduled to face Joseph Parker Jr. and Anthony Joshua will take on Otto Wallin in the headline fights on a massive card that also features the return of Dmitry Bivol on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DEONTAY WILDER (43-2-1, 42 KOs)
vs. JOSEPH PARKER JR. (33-3, 23 KOs)

ANTHONY JOSHUA (26-3, 23 KOs)
vs. OTTO WALLIN (26-1, 14 KOs)

DMITRY BIVOL (21-0, 11 KOs)
vs. LYNDON ARTHUR (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit) and light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles in heavyweight fights; Bivol’s WBA 175-pound title
  • Odds: Wilder 5-1 favorite over Parker; Joshua 3-1 favorite over Wallin; Bivol 16-1 favorite over Arthur (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Predictions: Wilder KO 7, Joshua UD, Bivol UD
  • Background: Wilder vs. Parker: Wilder and Joshua fight in separate bouts on this massive pay-per-view card in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Wilder was stopped by Tyson Fury in back-to-back fights in 2020 and 2021, the first of which cost him the WBC heavyweight title. The 38-year-old from Alabama, arguably the hardest puncher in history, rebounded by knocking out contender Robert Helenius with a short right hand in the first round in October of last year. That victory was Wilder’s first since November 2019, when he stopped Luis Ortiz in the seventh round in the final successful defense of his belt. He and Joshua have an agreement in place to fight on March 9 if they win on Saturday and don’t suffer injuries. Parker, also a former titleholder, has beaten three obscure opponents since he was knocked out in 11 rounds by Joe Joyce in September of last year. The 31-year-old Kiwi was the WBO titleholder from 2016 to 2018, when he lost his belt to Joshua by a one-sided decision. He hasn’t taken part in a major title fight since that setback.
  • Background: Joshua vs. Wallin: Joshua, a two-time titleholder, also is hoping to work his way back to the top after back-to-back losses. He lost a clear decision and three belts to former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and came up short by a split decision in the rematch in August of last year. He easily outpointed Jermaine Franklin in his next fight, this past April. And he knocked out Helenius in the seventh round on Aug. 12, his most recent bout. Joshua, 34, is 4-3 in his last seven fights. He has said that he is making one last run at the heavyweight championship. Wallin, a New York-based Swede, made a strong impression by pushing Fury harder than expected in a unanimous decision setback in 2019. He has won six consecutive fights since, including a split decision over Murat Gassiev on Sept. 30. Wallin’s technical ability is comparable to Joshua’s but he can’t match his British counterpart’s punching power.
  • Background: Bivol vs. Arthur: Bivol is coming off a break through year last year, which started with the master technician’s stunning unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez in May and concluded with a one-sided decision over previously unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez in November. The latter fight was Bivol’s most recent appearance, meaning he will have been out of the ring for more than 13 months. The Russian has begun maneuvering for a showdown with countryman Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship, assuming he beats Arthur and Beterbiev retains his three belts against Callum Smith on Jan. 13. Arthur, ranked No. 9 by the IBF, is a solid all-around fighter from England who is best known for his two fights with two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde. He upset Yarde by a split decision in 2020 but was stopped by his countryman in four rounds the following year. He has won four consecutive fights since, albeit against marginal opposition.

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Wilder-Joshua-Bivol card in Saudi Arabia: Date, time, how to watch, background

Deontay Wilder-Anthony Joshua-Dmitry Bivol card in Saudi Arabia: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Deontay Wilder is scheduled to face Joseph Parker Jr. and Anthony Joshua will take on Otto Wallin in the headline fights on a massive card that also features the return of Dmitry Bivol on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DEONTAY WILDER (43-2-1, 42 KOs)
vs. JOSEPH PARKER JR. (33-3, 23 KOs)

ANTHONY JOSHUA (26-3, 23 KOs)
vs. OTTO WALLIN (26-1, 14 KOs)

DMITRY BIVOL (21-0, 11 KOs)
vs. LYNDON ARTHUR (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit) and light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles in heavyweight fights; Bivol’s WBA 175-pound title
  • Odds: Wilder 5-1 favorite over Parker; Joshua 3-1 favorite over Wallin; Bivol 16-1 favorite over Arthur (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Predictions: Wilder KO 7, Joshua UD, Bivol UD
  • Background: Wilder vs. Parker: Wilder and Joshua fight in separate bouts on this massive pay-per-view card in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Wilder was stopped by Tyson Fury in back-to-back fights in 2020 and 2021, the first of which cost him the WBC heavyweight title. The 38-year-old from Alabama, arguably the hardest puncher in history, rebounded by knocking out contender Robert Helenius with a short right hand in the first round in October of last year. That victory was Wilder’s first since November 2019, when he stopped Luis Ortiz in the seventh round in the final successful defense of his belt. He and Joshua have an agreement in place to fight on March 9 if they win on Saturday and don’t suffer injuries. Parker, also a former titleholder, has beaten three obscure opponents since he was knocked out in 11 rounds by Joe Joyce in September of last year. The 31-year-old Kiwi was the WBO titleholder from 2016 to 2018, when he lost his belt to Joshua by a one-sided decision. He hasn’t taken part in a major title fight since that setback.
  • Background: Joshua vs. Wallin: Joshua, a two-time titleholder, also is hoping to work his way back to the top after back-to-back losses. He lost a clear decision and three belts to former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and came up short by a split decision in the rematch in August of last year. He easily outpointed Jermaine Franklin in his next fight, this past April. And he knocked out Helenius in the seventh round on Aug. 12, his most recent bout. Joshua, 34, is 4-3 in his last seven fights. He has said that he is making one last run at the heavyweight championship. Wallin, a New York-based Swede, made a strong impression by pushing Fury harder than expected in a unanimous decision setback in 2019. He has won six consecutive fights since, including a split decision over Murat Gassiev on Sept. 30. Wallin’s technical ability is comparable to Joshua’s but he can’t match his British counterpart’s punching power.
  • Background: Bivol vs. Arthur: Bivol is coming off a break through year last year, which started with the master technician’s stunning unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez in May and concluded with a one-sided decision over previously unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez in November. The latter fight was Bivol’s most recent appearance, meaning he will have been out of the ring for more than 13 months. The Russian has begun maneuvering for a showdown with countryman Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship, assuming he beats Arthur and Beterbiev retains his three belts against Callum Smith on Jan. 13. Arthur, ranked No. 9 by the IBF, is a solid all-around fighter from England who is best known for his two fights with two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde. He upset Yarde by a split decision in 2020 but was stopped by his countryman in four rounds the following year. He has won four consecutive fights since, albeit against marginal opposition.

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Fight Week: Wilder vs. Parker, Joshua vs. Wallin headline huge card in Saudi Arabia

Fight Week: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin will headline a huge card Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

FIGHT WEEK

Deontay Wilder is scheduled to face Joseph Parker Jr. and Anthony Joshua will take on Otto Wallin in the headline fights on a massive card Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DEONTAY WILDER (43-2-1, 42 KOs)
vs. JOSEPH PARKER JR. (33-3, 23 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Wilder 5-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, heavyweights; Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur, light heavyweights (for Bivol’s WBA title); Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Wilder KO 7
  • Background: Wilder and Joshua fight in separate bouts on this massive pay-per-view card in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Wilder was stopped by Tyson Fury in back-to-back fights in 2020 and 2021, the first of which cost him the WBC heavyweight title. The 38-year-old from Alabama, arguably the hardest puncher in history, rebounded by knocking out contender Robert Helenius with a short right hand in the first round in October of last year. That victory was Wilder’s first since November 2019, when he stopped Luis Ortiz in the seventh round in the final successful defense of his belt. He and Joshua have an agreement in place to fight on March 9 if they win on Saturday and don’t suffer injuries. Parker, also a former titleholder, has beaten three obscure opponents since he was knocked out in 11 rounds by Joe Joyce in September of last year. The 31-year-old Kiwi was the WBO titleholder from 2016 to 2018, when he lost his belt to Joshua by a one-sided decision. He hasn’t taken part in a major title fight since that setback.

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA (26-3, 23 KOs)
vs. OTTO WALLIN (26-1, 14 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Joshua 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker Jr., heavyweights: Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur, light heavyweights (for Bivol’s WBA title); Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Joshua UD
  • Background: Joshua, a two-time titleholder, also is hoping to work his way back to the top after back-to-back losses. He lost a clear decision and three belts to former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and came up short by a split decision in the rematch in August of last year. He easily outpointed Jermaine Franklin in his next fight, this past April. And he knocked out Helenius in the seventh round on Aug. 12, his most recent bout. Joshua, 34, is 4-3 in his last seven fights. He has said that he is making one last run at the heavyweight championship. Wallin, a New York-based Swede, made a strong impression by pushing Fury harder than expected in a unanimous decision setback in 2019. He has won six consecutive fights since, including a split decision over Murat Gassiev on Sept. 30. Wallin’s technical ability is comparable to Joshua’s but he can’t match his British counterpart’s punching power.

 

DMITRY BIVOL (21-0, 11 KOs)
vs. LYNDON ARTHUR (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: Bivol’s WBA title
  • Odds: Bivol 16-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker Jr., heavyweights: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, heavyweights; Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Bivol UD
  • Background: Bivol is coming off a break through year last year, which started with the master technician’s stunning unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez in May and concluded with a one-sided decision over previously unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez in November. The latter fight was Bivol’s most recent appearance, meaning he will have been out of the ring for more than 13 months. The Russian has begun maneuvering for a showdown with countryman Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship, assuming he beats Arthur and Beterbiev retains his three belts against Callum Smith on Jan. 13. Arthur, ranked No. 9 by the IBF, is a solid all-around fighter from England who is best known for his two fights with two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde. He upset Yarde by a split decision in 2020 but was stopped by his countryman in four rounds the following year. He has won four consecutive fights since, albeit against marginal opposition.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Conor Wallace vs. Mose Auimatagi, light heavyweights, Fortitude Valley, Australia (DAZN)

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Fight Week: Wilder vs. Parker, Joshua vs. Wallin headline huge card in Saudi Arabia

Fight Week: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin will headline a huge card Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

FIGHT WEEK

Deontay Wilder is scheduled to face Joseph Parker Jr. and Anthony Joshua will take on Otto Wallin in the headline fights on a massive card Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DEONTAY WILDER (43-2-1, 42 KOs)
vs. JOSEPH PARKER JR. (33-3, 23 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Wilder 5-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, heavyweights; Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur, light heavyweights (for Bivol’s WBA title); Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Wilder KO 7
  • Background: Wilder and Joshua fight in separate bouts on this massive pay-per-view card in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Wilder was stopped by Tyson Fury in back-to-back fights in 2020 and 2021, the first of which cost him the WBC heavyweight title. The 38-year-old from Alabama, arguably the hardest puncher in history, rebounded by knocking out contender Robert Helenius with a short right hand in the first round in October of last year. That victory was Wilder’s first since November 2019, when he stopped Luis Ortiz in the seventh round in the final successful defense of his belt. He and Joshua have an agreement in place to fight on March 9 if they win on Saturday and don’t suffer injuries. Parker, also a former titleholder, has beaten three obscure opponents since he was knocked out in 11 rounds by Joe Joyce in September of last year. The 31-year-old Kiwi was the WBO titleholder from 2016 to 2018, when he lost his belt to Joshua by a one-sided decision. He hasn’t taken part in a major title fight since that setback.

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA (26-3, 23 KOs)
vs. OTTO WALLIN (26-1, 14 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Joshua 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker Jr., heavyweights: Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur, light heavyweights (for Bivol’s WBA title); Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Joshua UD
  • Background: Joshua, a two-time titleholder, also is hoping to work his way back to the top after back-to-back losses. He lost a clear decision and three belts to former cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and came up short by a split decision in the rematch in August of last year. He easily outpointed Jermaine Franklin in his next fight, this past April. And he knocked out Helenius in the seventh round on Aug. 12, his most recent bout. Joshua, 34, is 4-3 in his last seven fights. He has said that he is making one last run at the heavyweight championship. Wallin, a New York-based Swede, made a strong impression by pushing Fury harder than expected in a unanimous decision setback in 2019. He has won six consecutive fights since, including a split decision over Murat Gassiev on Sept. 30. Wallin’s technical ability is comparable to Joshua’s but he can’t match his British counterpart’s punching power.

 

DMITRY BIVOL (21-0, 11 KOs)
vs. LYNDON ARTHUR (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT (7 p.m. local time) (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: Bivol’s WBA title
  • Odds: Bivol 16-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker Jr., heavyweights: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, heavyweights; Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori, heavyweights; Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro, cruiserweights (for Opetaia’s IBF title); Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel, heavyweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Bivol UD
  • Background: Bivol is coming off a break through year last year, which started with the master technician’s stunning unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez in May and concluded with a one-sided decision over previously unbeaten Gilberto Ramirez in November. The latter fight was Bivol’s most recent appearance, meaning he will have been out of the ring for more than 13 months. The Russian has begun maneuvering for a showdown with countryman Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship, assuming he beats Arthur and Beterbiev retains his three belts against Callum Smith on Jan. 13. Arthur, ranked No. 9 by the IBF, is a solid all-around fighter from England who is best known for his two fights with two-time title challenger Anthony Yarde. He upset Yarde by a split decision in 2020 but was stopped by his countryman in four rounds the following year. He has won four consecutive fights since, albeit against marginal opposition.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Conor Wallace vs. Mose Auimatagi, light heavyweights, Fortitude Valley, Australia (DAZN)

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Anthony Yarde knocks out Dec Spelman in Round 6

Light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde stopped Dec Spelman in the sixth round Saturday in London.

Anthony Yarde took care of Dec Spelman on Saturday night in London. Now it’s on to a bigger challenge, Lyndon Arthur.

Yarde stopped Spelman in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout, the Londoner’s second consecutive knockout since he was stopped in 11 rounds by then-titleholder Sergey Kovalev in August of last year. He KO’d journeyman Diego Ramirez in February.

The fight on Saturday was competitive for five rounds, as Yarde demonstrated no urgency in unleashing his considerable power.

Then, in Round 6, he stepped up the pressure. He landed a series of punishing blows until Spelman finally went down. He was able to get back to his fit but wasn’t fit to continue, prompting referee Michael Alexander to stop the fight. The official time was 2:42.

Spelman (16-5, 8 KOs) had never been stopped.

“This win meant a lot,” Yard said afterward. “I was sharp. Everyone knew about last year with the Kovalev fight, everyone knows my ambition. I’m still inexperienced. I’m being more patient, being defensively responsible.

“When I want to open up I can, but it’s about learning in the ring, working the jab, getting back into defensive position after the shots.”

Yarde (20-1, 19 KOs) is now expected to face the unbeaten Arthur (17-0, 12 KOs) for the Commonwealth title as soon as next month, although no date or site has been set.

Yarde was in talks to face Arthur earlier this year but the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport.

“I’m ready to fight whenever,” Yarde said. “Obviously (coronavirus) has impacted everything and we’re hearing about a second wave. I’m just staying in the gym, staying ready.”