Frank Warren had the promotional lead for this past Saturday’s big ‘Day of Reckoning’ event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
There were several interesting outcomes on the eight fight card, but the most unexpected outcome was Joseph Parker’s one-sided twelve round unanimous decision in his heavyweight battle with Deontay Wilder.
Wilder, who was heavily favored, was one step away from a planned March showdown with Anthony Joshua, who headlined the Riyadh card with a five round demolition of Otto Wallin.
Parker used his boxing ability to avoid Wilder’s big punches for most of the twelve rounds. The few punches that actually connected, Parker was able to take them well.
Wilder found himself in trouble when Parker rocked him in the eight, but the dangerous puncher was able to weather the storm.
“I thought he looked pretty dreadful,” Warren told Talk Sport. “He did a very good job, Joe, right from the start.”
Warren was told by Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, that Deontay had some pre-fight issue after spending too much time in a cryochamber.
“I really don’t know what he does now, Deontay. I was just talking to Shelly Finkel and they were telling me that he had a problem. He went into one of those cryochambers and sat in it for a long time. I don’t know. Obviously, there’s going to be some excuse,” Warren said.
Initially, after suffering his third career defeat, the 38-year-old former world champion hinted at the possibility of retiring from the sport, but he later walked back those comments and promised to return to the ring.
Wilder has been very inactive in the last few years. He entered the bout with Parker with only a single round of action since 2021. On the other end, Parker was taking part in his fourth fight of the year.