It seems like the planned fight for Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder may not come to light.
Joshua put in a wonderful performance to beat Otto Wallin inside the distance, but Deontay Wilder surprisingly lost on points to Joseph Parker on the same bill.
The Briton boxed magnificently in Saudi Arabia, dominating Wallin before the Swede’s corner pulled him out of the fight at the end of the fifth.
American Wilder who fought earlier in the night appeared a shadow of himself in Riyadh, and was hurt badly in the eighth as New Zealander Parker was awarded a unanimous decision.
Parker, who is also a former world champion, was awarded a unanimous decision with the judges’ scoring it 118-111, 118-110 and 120-108.
Joshua, while speaking after the match, said that he believed that Deontay would be back, adding that with everything that he said about him he could rip him apart right now, but he is going to take the higher ground.
It is believed that Saudi organisers had already pencilled in the Joshua-Wilder bout for next year.
Although no contract has been signed, the pair were expected to enter the ring post-fight and announce a deal to fight at some point in early 2024.
After the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn said Joshua is most likely going to face Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic for a vacant IBF world title, bidding to become a three-time world champion.
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