The British heavyweight won by TKO over Swede Otto Wallin, whose trainers forced him to retire at the end of the fifth round. According to the rules, the match should have lasted 12 rounds.
However, the American Wilder was far from being in his prime. The match with New Zealander Joseph Parker came to the final bell of the 12th round, but with the unanimous decision of the judges, the victory appeared to Parker with the score of 118:111, 118:110, 120:108.
Wilder, 38, entered the ring with a crown on his head. He was introduced by his new nickname “Dr Sleep”. The BBC reports that it was he who put the audience to sleep more than his opponent. Wilder was in the biggest trouble in the eighth round, when the 31-year-old Parker had him on the ropes with a strong punch. Parker continued to attack and Wilder was saved at the end of the round.
Saudi organizers have already canceled the Joshua-Wilder match for next year. Although no deal has been signed, the match is believed to take place in early 2024.
“I heard Deontay got lost. So? He will return. I could tear Deontay apart for everything he said about me, but I’m over it now,” Joshua told BBC Sport. “You can come back. If he wants to, he’ll come back. I’m sure everyone wants to see our match. “
In the main match of the evening, the WBA light heavyweight championship belt was on the line. The title was successfully defended by the Russian Dmitri Bivol, who defeated the British Lyndon Arthur by unanimous decision of the judges.
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2023-12-24 06:46:42
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