Why December 23rd’s ‘Day Of Reckoning’ is one of the best boxing cards in recent history،
Boxing fans will be in for a festive treat when heavyweight fights Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin headline a card of rare quality on December 23. Dubbed “Day of Reckoning,” the flagship event will feature eight bouts featuring world champions, former world champions and contenders in the heavyweight, cruiserweight and light heavyweight categories, taking place in Riyadh, Iran. Saudi Arabia.
Few boxing cards in recent history can match the depth of quality that will be on display in the desert. Let’s take a look at the fights and explain why each one is so important.
Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker
What is it about? It’s hard to pick the best matchup from such a strong selection, but if you had to, Wilder-Parker might be it. The two former world heavyweight champions are fighting to stay relevant and face Anthony Joshua in 2024. Parker reigned as WBO champion from 2016 to 2018; Wilder was WBC champion from 2015 to 2020.
How’s it going ? Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs), who was negotiating to face Joshua on Dec. 23 earlier this year, risks more than Parker (33-3, 23 KOs), who is fighting his fourth fight in nearly a year. Wilder has only had one round of action since October 2022, when he stopped Robert Helenius in his first fight since back-to-back knockout losses to Tyson Fury. Parker’s best chance is to keep the fight at distance, setting a fast pace and moving away from Wilder’s destructive right hand. But the American will still be dangerous with a one-punch knockout.
What’s at stake? A fight against Joshua in 2024. Parker lost on points to Joshua in 2018, but a rematch becomes a possibility if he can beat Wilder like Fury, with whom the New Zealander trains. Wilder vs. Joshua is the biggest fight, however, and the most important in the division outside of WBA-IBF-WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk vs. WBC titleholder Tyson Fury, who meet in Saudi Arabia on February 17.
Why should you watch? This is probably the best heavyweight match this year. We’ll find out if the 38-year-old Wilder still has his neutralizing punch – and if we’ll finally get AJ vs. Wilder.
Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin
What is it about? Joshua takes a risk by facing Wallin. He has just six weeks to prepare for a southpaw after weeks, if not months, of speculation he would face the destructive KO machine of right-hander Wilder on December 23. If Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) loses to Wallin (26-1, 14 KOs), he has little chance of facing Wilder or Fury next year. Wallin has been calling to fight Joshua for years, believing he can get the better of him.
How’s it going ? Joshua, 34, has limited experience against southpaws and finding out how he performs against Wallin will be interesting. The last port Joshua faced was Usyk, who beat him on points in successive fights (2022 and 2021). Wallin, 32, originally from Sweden but based in the United States, gave Fury a scare in 2019, taking him to stitches after Fury suffered an early cut that later required nearly 50 stitches. Since then, Wallin has compiled six victories, some against limited opponents and he overtook former cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev by a split points decision in September. Fury and Gassiev failed to stop Wallin, and perhaps that was the motivation that pushed Joshua to accept this risky mission. But expect AJ to box like he did against Robert Helenius in August, from a distance and cautiously in the early rounds before opening his attack in the later rounds.
What’s at stake? A potential fight against Deontay Wilder for Joshua, or a lucrative rematch for Wallin.
Why should you watch? To see if Joshua can answer doubts about his performance against southpaws and find out if we’ll finally get Joshua against Wilder.
Dmitrii Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur
What is it about? Bivol (21-0, 11 KO) is the top-ranked fighter and with a better win on his record (against a top-ranked Canelo Alvarez) than anyone else on the card. Arthur (23-1, 16 KOs), who has won four in a row since being knocked out by Anthony Yarde in 2021, would need to produce a huge upset to win. He was surprised to get this fight.
How’s it going ? Expect Arthur to be in play, but not in the same league as Bivol, who is coming off brilliant points wins over Gilberto Ramirez and Alvarez.
What’s at stake? Bivol’s WBA world light heavyweight title.
Why should you watch? Bivol brings quality and is the highest ranked fighter on this incredible card. Bivol is No. 5 in ESPN’s latest pound-for-pound rankings and was ESPN’s Fighter of the Year in 2022. The win would open up the prospect of a long-awaited clash against fellow Russian Artur Beterbiev to decide the undisputed light heavyweight world champion next year. Beterbiev will defend his belts against Callum Smith on January 13.
Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller
What is it about? Miller (26-0-1, 22 KO) calls it a good match, but recently the previously suspended boxer hasn’t fought at the same level as young contender Dubois (19-2, 18 KO), who has gave a good insight into himself. against Usyk in August.
How’s it going ? Miller will have to make some changes, but Dubois will eventually get the job done in the second half of the fight. Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round, but Dubois can have some confidence in the way he played that night.
What’s at stake? Victor will put himself in contention for bigger fights in 2024.
Why should you watch? Miller and Dubois both have power and this is an opportunity for one of them to look good in front of a large TV audience. This could be one of the most entertaining fights of the evening.
Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro
What is it about? Opetaia (23-0, 18 KOs), 28, like Bivol, is No. 1 in his respective division in ESPN’s latest divisional rankings and is widely expected to maintain that status in Riyadh.
How’s it going ? For Zorro, it’s a big jump in class, but he will approach the fight with confidence after good wins this year against Luca D’Ortenzi and Hosea Burton. Zorro (17-0, 7 KOs) has no experience or KO power on his side. Opetaia quickly knocked out an equally experienced opponent, Jordan Thompson, two months ago. The Australian stopped Thompson in four rounds and Zorro will do well to prevent the champion from another stoppage victory in his second defense.
What’s at stake? Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight world title. The Australian can embark on a title unification fight in 2024.
Why should you watch? Opetaia is currently the best at cruiserweight and hopes to one day move up to heavyweight.
Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori
What is it about? Hrgovic was involved in a snoozer last time out against Demsey McKean and he really needs to make a statement against his Australian opponent if he wants to be considered for bigger opponents next year.
The Croatian is in a good position – No.1 challenger with the IBF – and therefore must win to stay at the front of the queue for one of the belts held by Usyk.
How’s it going ? Hrgovic finally stopped McKean in the final round in August, but against De Mori, 41, he needs to get the job done sooner. De Mori has come a long way from the elite level since being knocked out in a round by David Haye in 2016 and this match is nowhere near the quality of others on the card.
What’s at stake? Hrgovic must win to maintain his place at the top of the line for Usyk.
Why should you watch? This could end quickly and it’s an opportunity to assess the danger Hrgovic poses to Usyk, even if it ends up being a mismatch.
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel
What is it about? These two may be some of the lesser-known fighters on the bill, but don’t let that deter you. They are both part of the chasing group hoping to win the world heavyweight title in the next two years.
How’s it going ? Makhmudov (18-0, 17 KO) is one of the rising stars of the heavyweight division and the Canadian-based Russian potentially faces his toughest test yet against the European champion. Kabayel (23-0, 15 KO), of Germany, should at least outlast Makhmudov’s last opponent (70 seconds)
What’s at stake? The winner takes another step towards a mandatory position and maintains his invincibility.
Why should you watch? Makhmudov fights like he has a curfew to follow. KO seems inevitable.
Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa
What is it about? Miami-based Cuban Sanchez (23-0, 16 KOs) is another heavyweight hoping to make an impression on the big stage in Riyadh and his recent form suggests he could do just that.
How’s it going ? Fa (20-2, 11 KOs) has rebuilt his career since defeats against Lucas Browne and Parker, but has not fought since October 2022. He will need to produce a shock result to change the course of his career .
What’s at stake? Bigger opportunities for the winner.
Why should you watch? Sanchez has won three fights at distance and looks good for another stoppage victory.
