Riyadh Part 2: Bivol Wins, Parker Upsets Wilder, and Joshua Closes the Show

An impressive heavyweight showcase saw Anthony Joshua close the show with a dominating technical knockout win over Otto Wallin to regain status as the division’s top star on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

“I’ve been around the block,” said a smiling Joshua.

England’s Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) looked comfortable and dangerous against a familiar foe in Sweden’s Wallin (26-2, 14 KOs) in the heavyweight show at Riyadh. Both had fought each other as amateurs and sparred as pros. Familiarity favored the former two-time heavyweight champion.

“All the history with Otto paid dividends,” said Joshua.

Though Wallin, a southpaw, oozed confidence and predicted victory, it was Joshua who exhibited sharpshooting weaponry with jolting left jabs and penetrating rights that snapped the head of the Swedish fighter.

It was immediately evident Joshua was in control.

Every time Wallin attempted to attack, Joshua countered with strong rights and combinations. The Swedish fighter never quit trying, but paid heavily for his efforts in every round.

In the fifth round Joshua opened up his arsenal with right hand bombs to the head and body. Whatever Wallin tried to do was out-maneuvered by Joshua who relentlessly battered and bloodied the Swede whose only loss was by decision to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury four years ago.

As the round ended a woozy Wallin stumbled back to his corner and his trainer immediately signaled to the referee the fight was over. Joshua was declared the winner by technical knockout at the end of the fifth round.

“Victory by any means,” said Joshua who needed a win to remain relevant. “It’s a treacherous business.”

Though Joshua won handily, any talk of a match between him and Wilder might be put on hold.

Parker Beats Wilder

A battle between former heavyweight champions saw New Zealand’s Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) take advantage of Deontay Wilder’s (43-3-1, 42 KOs) ring rust and walk away with a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds.

Parker took advantage of four fights this year and demonstrated a solid game plan that concentrated on avoiding Wilder’s dangerous right-hand power. He performed almost perfectly with jabs and methodic pressure.

“I had to be aware at all times of the right hand,” said Parker. “He hits very hard.”

Wilder, who had answered the bell for only one round in the last two years, remained poised to connect with his sledgehammer right. It landed a few times but was unable to deter Parker.

“My timing was off a little bit,” admitted Wilder. “He did a great job avoiding my right hand.”

After a few rounds of fighting from a long distance, Parker was able to maneuver behind jabs and overhand rights. It wasn’t until the eighth round that Wilder was able to highlight his deadly right-hand bombs. Parker withstood the blows and rallied back with his own.

Before the fight, most tabbed Wilder a large favorite to win and then fight Anthony Joshua. That match will probably be on hold after all three judges scored for Parker 118-111, 118-110 and 120-107.

Still, Wilder remains a ticking bomb for any foe.

Bivol Captures Another Title

WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) added the IBO title by unanimous decision with a commanding performance via jabs and more jabs over Lyndon Arthur (23-2, 16 KOs) who was making his first defense of that fringe title.

Seldom was there any suspense.

England’s Arthur was overwhelmed at times by the strong left jabs of Bivol who is considered one of the best fighters pound-for-pound. Though the British fighter survived all 12 rounds he did not win a single round on any judge’s score card. It was a whitewash.

Bivol pressured the slightly taller Arthur all 12 rounds and looked to end the fight via stoppage during the last two rounds. He was nearly successful but could not land the finishing blow.

Bivol seeks to add all the light heavyweight titles in 2024.

“I’m glad I got this fight,” said Bivol who had not fought in nearly two years. “I hope a title fight comes in 2024.”

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

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