Former boxing world champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker have strengthened their heavyweight title claims in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Briton Joshua defeated Swede Otto Wallin, who was taken out of the fight by his corner after the fifth round of a one-sided fight. Previously, New Zealander Parker won a unanimous points victory against former world champion Deontay Wilder (USA).
The fights were part of a sensational fight card in Riyadh. Several fights took place on Saturday under the motto “Day of Reckoning” – including the fight of the German heavyweight European champion Agit Kabayel, who defeated the previously unbeaten Russian Arslanbek Machmudow by technical knockout and qualified for a possible world championship. Fight brought into position.
Saudi Arabia, which is heavily criticized for the human rights situation there, pushed forward its sportswashing strategy with superlative spectacle. The kingdom has been making headlines for years as the host of major sporting events and also has great interest and the best chance of hosting the 2034 World Cup. On February 17th, the big unification fight between WBC titleholder Tyson Fury and WBA, IBF and WBO champion Alexander Usyk for the status of undisputed heavyweight world champion is also taking place in Riyadh.
After the fights on Saturday, a duel between the victorious Joshua and the defeated Wilder seems to have become less likely for the time being. There had previously been speculation that the winner of a potential Wilder-Joshua fight could face the winner of the Fury-Usyk fight in February.