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Anthony Joshua triumphed over Otto Wallin in a five-round bout, showcasing a dominant performance. However, the anticipated matchup between Joshua and Deontay Wilder is now uncertain following Wilder’s unexpected unanimous points loss to Joseph Parker in Riyadh. Check out the Day of Reckoning full card results below.
The event named “Day of Reckoning” is sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government under Turki Al Sheikh. Initially it was planned to pave the way for a clash between Joshua and Wilder in March of the following year.
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This uncertainty in heavyweight boxing’s future plans is reminiscent of the surprise when Tyson Fury was severely challenged by Francis Ngannou, an MMA star and boxing novice, in their “Battle of the Baddest” encounter.
In the Riyadh match, Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) consistently outperformed Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs). One judge scored a complete 120-108 victory for the New Zealander. Parker nearly achieved a knockout in the eighth round, highlighting Wilder’s challenges with age and lack of recent activity.
Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs), under the guidance of new coach Ben Davison, maintained his end of the anticipated future bout by overpowering Wallin. Joshua’s aggressive yet controlled technique led to Wallin’s early facial injuries. This culminated with a decisive right-hand blow in the fifth round that left Wallin staggering and led to his corner ending the match.
The event showcased a roster of top-tier heavyweights, with several notable matches.
Daniel Dubois made a strong comeback after his defeat in a world title match against Usyk. He overcame Jarrell Miller, known for his vocal presence and heavier physique, by forcing a stoppage in the last moments of the 10th round.
In a surprising twist, European heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 KOs) delivered an unexpected victory. He defeated the formidable Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1, 17 KOs) in a fourth-round stoppage.
Frank Sanchez and Filip Hrgovic, both holding unblemished records, participated in bouts of varying levels. Sanchez (24-0, 17 KOs), a highly-touted Cuban boxer, initially took some time to find his rhythm before knocking down Junior Fa (20-3, 11 KOs) three times, leading to a seventh-round stoppage. Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) swiftly defeated Mark De Mori (41-3-2, 36 KOs) in the first round, confirming the mismatch that many had anticipated.
Beyond the heavyweight category, the card included significant world title fights. Dmitry Bivol showcased his skills in the light heavyweight division. He dominated every round against Lyndon Arthur and secured a knockdown in the penultimate round to retain his WBA light heavyweight title. This victory keeps him on track for a potential undisputed bout with either Artur Beterbiev or Callum Smith.
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In the cruiserweight division, Jai Opetaia, the lineal cruiserweight champion, retained his Ring Magazine cruiserweight title. It was a stunning one-punch knockout of Ellis Zorro in the first round, highlighting his formidable power and skill in the ring.
Day of Reckoning full card results:
Anthony Joshua def. Otto Wallin via fifth-round KO
Joseph Parker def. Deontay Wilder via unanimous decision
Dmitry Bivol def. Lyndon Arthur via unanimous decision (120-107 x3)
Daniel Dubois def. Jarrell Miller via 10th-round TKO (2:52)
Agit Kabayel def. Arslanbek Makhmudov via fourth-round TKO (2:03)
Jai Opetaia def. Ellis Zorro via first-round KO (2:56)
Filip Hrgovic def. Mark De Mori via first-round TKO (1:46)
Frank Sanchez def. Junior Fa via seventh-round TKO (2:42)
