Joshua, Wilder, Bivol, Opetaia all on big December 23rd card

[WelshDevilRob]

Announced earlier today in London. Most of the fighters attended the press conference. Some surprise match-ups and plenty of Heavyweights.

The PPV/broadcast details weren't announced but the card is official. Will take place at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Line-up

Anthony Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) vs. Otto Wallin (26-1, 14 KOs)
Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) vs. Joseph Parker (33-3, 23 KOs)
Daniel Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs) vs. Jarrell Miller (26-0-1, 22 KOs)
Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) vs. Lyndon Arthur (23-1, 16 KOs)
Jai Opetaia (23-0, 18 KOs) vs. Ellis Zorro (17-0, 7 KOs)
Frank Sanchez (23-0, 16 KOs) vs. Junior Fa (20-2, 11 KOs)
Filip Hrgovic (16-0, 13 KOs) vs. Mark De Mori (41-2-2, 36 KOs)
Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-0, 17 KOs) vs. Agit Kabayel (23-0, 15 KOs)

Joshua and Wilder on huge December 23rd card
https://www.ringnews24.com/2023/11/15/joshua-and-wilder-on-huge-december-23rd-card/

Riyadh Season Hosts the “Day of Reckoning”
https://www.ringnews24.com/2023/11/15/riyadh-season-hosts-the-day-of-reckoning/

Thoughts on the card and the match-ups?

Edited November 16 by WelshDevilRob

[Ledhed1]

Well that's about as stacked a card as we've seen in a while but it didn't have to be. I can think of a better opponent for just about all the A-side fighters here, including guys in separate fights who should be fighting each other. Another promoter overstuffing his stable while engaging in the marination game.

As for the matchups, Wallin is a mere placeholder opponent for AJ; Wallin already lost to Fury and was gifted a win over Gassiev. Parker's a deserving opponent based on his accomplishments but don't see him troubling Wilder. Once Bivol wipes the floor with Arthur, Beterbiev-Bivol please. Dubois-Miller is an eliminator (for the loser). Miller's a huge question mark. He's huge, period; what kind of shape will he be in? We've seen the highs and lows of Dubois; if Miller isn't fully committed, Dubois wins. Stay busy/showcase fights for Sanchez, Hrgovic and Makhmudov. I'd say the same for Opetaia but he is  defending a world title. Biding our time til we get Opetaia vs Billam-Smith.

[robprosser]

Miller shouldn't be allowed to box anywhere in the world. He's a disgrace.

[Cableaddict]

Most of this card is just a waste of time,  with the possible exception of  Opetaia  (as you say)   and AJ - Wallin.  

 

Wallin has issues, but at his best he is crafty and dangerous.  

And AJ is, of course,  just above average.

A Wallin win would not surprise me,  and that would make for a mildly interesting situation for the division.  Sort of.

 

 

Sigh .......

[WelshDevilRob]

I think the main thing to take away is that the event sees 12 promoters working together. Money is a powerful thing.

Apparently VADA testing is in place, so be interesting to see if Miller makes the first bell.

[Cableaddict]

9 hours ago, WelshDevilRob said:

 

Apparently VADA testing is in place, so be interesting to see if Miller makes the first bell.

 

And if he does,  what he looks like in the ring.

[LondonRingRules]

On 11/16/2023 at 8:41 PM, Cableaddict said:

Most of this card is just a waste of time,  with the possible exception of  Opetaia  (as you say)   and AJ - Wallin.  

 

Wallin has issues, but at his best he is crafty and dangerous.  

And AJ is, of course,  just above average.

A Wallin win would not surprise me,  and that would make for a mildly interesting situation for the division.  Sort of.

--- Just above average the 2x unified champ defending his titles multiple x a far sight better than anyone else in boxing, so yes, that wouldn't surprise me that you rank him just above average.

 

 

[Cableaddict]

Until the last few years, AJ's entire career was a carefully crafted gift.

[LondonRingRules]

--- Life is a gift not always carefully crafted. 

AJ and Usyk crafted the best of their heavyweight eras plain and simple.

Not so the others.