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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 5
Most seem to have Joseph Parker winning every round until this point. Deontay Wilder seems to just be avoiding conflict and not engaging with anything of his own.
He's waiting for the ideal moment, but what happens if it never arrives?
Parker continues to dominate the middle of the ring and clips the American with a cracking snapshot on the cheek.
Another round in the bank for Parker.
Of course, Deontay Wilder doesn't fight to win rounds. He lost virtually every minute of that clash with Luis Ortiz before doing the business. Parker has to be perfect, Wilder just needs that one golden moment.
Credit: getty -
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 4
Joseph Parker decides he's fed up of the cautious stuff and lands a lovely combination. He's closing the gap slightly now and looking for the right hand.
Deontay Wilder's timing is well off as he looks to return, but he's throwing a few more jabs to find it, as well as the distance.
Parker attacks like a sprinter in the dying seconds of the round with a few attempted power shots. The Kiwi fancies this. He likes his chances.
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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker - Round 3
It's actually quite strange to see Deontay Wilder being so cautious. Almost more worrying that he's waiting for something -- some chink that he's seen in Joseph Parker's armour.
Another fairly uneventful round passes.
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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker – Round 2
Joseph Parker straight out with a jab to the stomach. Nothing too damaging but with Deontay Wilder having thrown nothing - it could be crucial to winning the round on the judges scorecards.
Neither fighter is prepared to close the gap, just the occasional dip in to throw a straight one. You get the sense viewers are starting to wonder what they signed up for, but I'm sure there's fireworks to come.
How about that then, boos and jeers at the end of the round. "You've got two rounds in the bag," says Joseph Parker's trainer in the corner.
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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker - Round 1
Joseph Parker's trainer Andy Lee has been saying all week that they are going to fight fire with fire.
Deontay Wilder responded by telling Parker to bring a pillow and blanket, because he's getting put to sleep.
And has there been any fireworks in Round 1?
Nope. It's a feeling out process. Parker staying well away from that thunderous right hand as Wilder sidesteps his way around the ring, stalking his opponent and waiting for his moment.
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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
He's just a scary bloke. Deontay Wilder punches like a horse kicks, and Robert Helenius can testify to that when being KO'd in the first round during their clash back in October 2022.
But… he is 38. He's fought once since that defeat to Tyson Fury in 2021. Could he be vulnerable to a more technical and in-form Parker?
They really are trying to ramp up the atmosphere inside the stadium, but it's not quite there. Certainly not what you would expect of a card of this magnitude.
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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
The pair are making their way to the ring now.
Joseph Parker enters first to a tune I've not heard before and don't particularly care for.
And here comes Wilder. No suit weighing him down this time, but he IS wearing a crown. I'm not going to argue with him about that.
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Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder vs former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
It seems to be everyone's 'big tip' for an upset tonight with Parker available at 9/2 to clinch a victory, and in doing so spoil that big AJ fight in March.
It's understandable.
Parker has won three fights on the bounce since his loss to Joe Joyce, and his work with trainer Andy Lee seems to be having a really positive effect. We saw that with his KO win over Simon Kean back in October.
But, as ever, he's in there with the most devastating puncher in boxing history.
Credit: getty -
Surprise
Frank Warren thinks we could see a couple of upsets in the last two fights. And I'm certain he's not just saying that to boost PPV numbers.
He said: "Wallin seems very confident, quietly confident, and AJ does as well.
"For AJ, this is make or break and I'm not being critical or anything, but it's about what does he have left in the tank, what has he got, can he get himself a seat at the table this year.
"And the same goes for Wilder, he has been out for two years, he's had one fight in between which was a one rounder, Joe Parker had a really good win last time out.
"So, these are really going to be competitive fights, they certainly are on paper."
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I have been taking a psychedelic South American drug
No, I'm not confessing to that. That's private.
But the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has preparing for Saudi Arabian debut against former world champion Joseph Parker in a rather alternative fashion.
Wilder has been working on self-improvement through psychedelic medicines in a certified centre in Costa Rica.
He said the ayahuasca retreat has made him “one of the happiest men alive” and “more sensitive”.
"Ah man, ayahuasca has been… man it’s been one of the top things in my life that I’m glad that I’ve experienced,” Wilder said.
"One of the best journeys to experience, it’s been a beautiful thing for me and if you ask my wife she’ll say that it made me more sensitive, and she’s probably right, but it also made me happier as well."
How much is said retreat? Asking for a friend.
Credit: getty -
It's signed
It's not signed.
Heavyweight rivals Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder were reportedly said to have agreed a two-fight deal to face each other, according to boxing correspondent Dan Rafael.
The clash was supposed to take place on March 9, and still might providing they both come through their contests unscathed.
But it ain't done until it's done.
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I spy…
Eddie Hearn asking Cristiano Ronaldo for a selfie. Oh come on, we'd all do it.
Cristiano Ronaldo laughs with Conor McGregor and gets a picture with Eddie Hearn during AJ vs Wallin bout -
Chatter
You sitting between two best friends at the work Christmas party vibes.
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'It was good sparring for me'
Dmitry Bivol wants that undisputed title fight in 2024.
He said: "It was good sparring for me, Lyndon used a good jab. My goal is to undisputed, Beterbiev v Smith, the winner.
"I didn’t push myself too much. I look at his eyes, something inside of him, strength. He was ready for 12 rounds.
"I believe I’ll get the winner, when I signed contract for this fight, Saudi was interested in this fight. Undisputed fight in the light heavyweight division.
"I’m so glad in boxing we have such great people, who make these fights. I want the winner, it’s not about which person, it doesn’t matter."
226 vs 71 in punches thrown FYI.
Credit: GETTY -
Up next
Y'all Bomb Squad members ready? Yes, it's Deontay Wilder vs Jospeh Parker coming up next in the co-main event at the Kingdom Stadium.
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Dmitry Bivol beats Lyndon Arthur on points
It's unanimous. All judges score it 120-107 in favour of Dmitry Bivol.
"It was good sparring for me," Bivol says in his interview afterwards. He's also asking for the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith.
Dmitry Bivol beats Lyndon Arthur in convincing fashion on AJ vs Wallin Day of Reckoning undercard -
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 12
Lyndon Arthur is no more than a punching bag for the opening 60 seconds of that round. The referee takes a stern look but Arthur finally throws back and clinches.
60 seconds for Bivol to get that first KO in six years…
But it's the Brit who's throwing the majority of shots here. They aren't penetrating or causing too much damage though as Bivol returns to the body with a flurry.
Ding ding.
That's all she wrote. Arthur pounds his chest as the final bell rings. He's clearly proud of sticking in there for the full 12 rounds. Rightly so. Clearly Dmitry Bivol has won that on points but we'll wait for the judges decision.
Credit: getty -
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 11
The commentator makes a good point.
This card will have attracted the eyeballs of lots of new boxing fans, but I doubt any causal observers will be desperate to see Dmitry Bivol in action anytime soon.
Hardcore fans will appreciate his faultless footwork, discipline or ring IQ but the people want KOs.
And just as I write that, Bivol sends Arthur to the deck with a body shot in the dying seconds of Round 11. The bell saves the challenger.
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 10
This is just a very Dmitry Bivol fight. He's in charge and almost on autopilot. Much like a Manchester City match, they are usually head and shoulders above their opponents and knocking the ball around at 3-0 up without any real jeopardy.
Think I may have accidentally thrown shade there. Apologies.
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 9
Cristiano Ronaldo spent most of that round looking at his phone. Perhaps admiring Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus' goals against Manchester United earlier today.
No sign of Dmitry Bivol being hurt. He continues much like he has this entire fight.
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 8
Is Dmitry Bivol hurt? Lyndon Arthur lands a cracking right to the body of the champion and there's a real change in Bivol's demeanour. Sunny Edwards is in Arthur's corner and shouting for him to attack.
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 7
Most scorecards will ready 7-0. Rightly so. The crowd is deathly quiet inside the Kingdom Arena, that has been one knock against Dmitry Bivol over the years.
Good Lord.. I would pay a large amount to know what these two are talking about. A true meeting of minds.
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 6
Remember what I said earlier. It’s been six years since and eight fights since Dmitry Bivol last recorded a TKO. He's miles ahead on the card but a showstopper would send a message to the division. As if they don't already know...
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 5
The dominance continues but Lyndon Arthur did try a few new things and had minor success with a few body shots.
The cameras pan to Cristiano Ronaldo, who receives a chorus of boos from the fans inside the stadium.
That's the second time I've seen that happen here, and I think it's because the Kingdom Arena is the stadium that Al-Nassr's rivals Al-Hilal play at. Either that or they are Lionel Messi ultras.
Ronaldo looks extremely unbothered.
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Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – Round 4
He just suffocates you. Dmitry Bivol continues to control proceedings, picking and choosing his moments to attack and set things up.
Most people watch will be asking why Arthur doesn't just throw a punch. He can't. Bivol is an assassin. He goes to throw the jab but Bivol’s comes back even quicker.