This Day in Boxing History: December 23 – Fights, Fighters and Turning Points

From championship title defenses in Asia to pivotal heavyweight cards in the Middle East, this day has produced a cross-section of competitive fights, strategic milestones, and moments that shaped careers.

2010 — Hugo Cázares Retains the WBA Super Flyweight Title

On December 23, 2010, in Osaka, Japan, Mexican southpaw Hugo Cázares (born March 24, 1978) successfully defended his WBA World Super Flyweight (115 lb) Championship against Japanese contender Hiroyuki Hisataka at the Prefectural Gymnasium. The bout went the distance, and Cázares won by 12-round unanimous decision with official tallies of 117-111 (2x) and 116-112. Cázares won the world title in May and successfully defended it three times in a little over seven months. He closed out 2010 going 4-0 for the year. Cázares was known for his experience and switch-hitting ability; Hisataka, a seasoned Japanese professional with multiple world title attempts, was unable to match the champion’s consistent work rate over the final rounds.

2023 — “Day of Reckoning” Heavyweight Show in Riyadh

“Day of Reckoning” featured one of the most stacked heavyweight cards in recent boxing history, staged at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the Riyadh Season.

Main Card (Dec. 23, 2023 — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin — Heavyweight: Joshua won by TKO/RTD when Wallin did not come out for Round 6.

Joseph Parker vs. Deontay Wilder — Heavyweight: Parker won by unanimous decision with scores reflecting clear rounds for the former WBO heavyweight champion.

Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur — Light Heavyweight: Bivol retained his WBA title by unanimous decision.

Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller — Heavyweight: Dubois earned a TKO in Round 10.

Preliminaries on the same card included:

Agit Kabayel vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov — A pair of undefeated heavyweights clashed with Kayayel winning via TKO in the 4th round of a scheduled 10.

Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro — Opetaia defeated Zorro by KO at 2:56 in the 1st round.

Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori — Hrgovic defeated De Mori by TKO at 1:46 in the 1st round.

Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa — Sanchez defeated Fa by TKO in the 7th round.

This fight card represented a rare convergence of multiple heavyweights and contenders in a single night, combining Saudi promotional ambition with globally recognized names. While the event drew mixed critical reaction, it stands as one of the most densely stacked heavyweight fight nights on December 23 in modern boxing.

December 23

From Hugo Cázares’s disciplined retention of his super flyweight crown in Osaka to the heavyweight cluster in Riyadh, the events documented on this date span world title defenses, heavyweight blocks of competition, and evolving global promotional landscapes.

INTERESTING FACTS:

Hugo Cázares’s Title Defense Was Part of a Rare Late-December World Title Run

When Mexican junior-flyweight Hugo “El Increíble” Cázares retained the WBA Super Flyweight title on December 23, 2010, it was his third defense of the belt he had won earlier that year at age 32. That defense in Osaka, Japan required him to adjust his typical fighting rhythm to a slower-paced, tactical performance against Hiroyuki Hisataka, a tough, home-country challenger. Cachéres’s 12-round control demonstrated his adaptability and ring generalship; traits that helped him remain a world champion through much of the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Deontay Wilder Had Not Won a Fight in Over One Year

At the time he faced Parker, Wilder had not recorded a victory since October 2022, with inactivity and a punishing loss to Tyson Fury raising questions about timing and readiness. His camp publicly downplayed inactivity, but ringside observers noted reduced output early in the bout.

Daniel Dubois’ Confidence

Dubois’s performance in Riyadh against Jarrell Miller reflected a more composed and confident boxer. Promoter Frank Warren and Dubois himself both noted a noticeable shift in demeanor and belief, and Dubois later said the victory helped restore his confidence after previous setbacks, including losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

“Day of Reckoning” in Riyadh Was One of the Most Diverse Fight Cards in Boxing History

The December 23, 2023, event at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh featured multiple world champions or former titleholders in a single show.