WE ARE NOW roughly a couple of weeks removed from our Reckoning in Riyadh and the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the event has been particularly satisfying. All the long nights and hard work was well worthwhile.
Fortune must be shining on us a bit in one way, at least. We have now completed two bumper promotions as part of Riyadh Season involving some 15 fights that all stood the test of time from announcement to first bell. None of them fell out of bed and this is not the usual drill, believe me.
Financial considerations aside, I think it shows how much the fighters – both corners – want to be part of what is happening in Saudi Arabia, where the biggest fights will get made and the best will fight the best.
I said in the build-up to the Day of Reckoning that the left side of the card wouldn’t have it all its own way and there would be upsets, of sorts. So it proved.
There were never going to be seismic coupon busters because the matches, for the most part, were pretty solid. But there were opportunities for fighters to seize the moment, put their names up in lights and book a place when it comes to Riyadh Revisited in the months and years to come.
Agit Kabayel has been a quiet man of the heavyweight division previously and will now be a significant player moving forward following his dismantling of the fearsome looking Arslanbek Makhmudov. It was a real slaying of the giant.
Big props to Joseph Parker, who is a shining example to all fighters, having overcome his setbacks and just knuckled down and improved.
Careers can and often do go in phases. Joseph had the world at his feet at an early stage in his career and life with being world champion. His fortunes dipped and then plateaued for a period, but now he is a man on the up with so much experience tucked away in his locker.
He outfought and outfoxed Deontay Wilder and quashed any thoughts of an imminent match-up with Anthony Joshua. Joseph was never there to simply make up the numbers, he is a genuine contender in the heavyweight division and more than just a match for anyone.
Taking absolutely nothing away from Joseph, but Deontay was simply not at the races in there. I don’t want to make excuses for him, but you have to question the benefits of his psychedelic therapy in Costa Rica ahead of serious fight business.
I am no expert, obviously, but the more I hear about this South American Special Brew, it just doesn’t seem compatible with attempting to knock an opponent’s block off. Each to their own, I suppose.
On the flip side of the coin, Anthony Joshua looks like he has rediscovered his mojo and was impressive against Otto Wallin. He has enjoyed the benefits of activity, with three fights in a year, that Deontay hasn’t and it showed.
Daniel Dubois was another big winner on the night against Jarrell Miller, who weighed something like a 100lbs more than our man. Whether this is an advantage or not, I am not sure, but it doesn’t make a night’s work any easier.
After a hesitant start, Daniel really got to grips with the fight and handled a really tough opponent, punching him into eventual submission. Miller has got his knockers and won’t win any popularity contests, but he would be hard work for any heavyweight in the world, make no mistake.
Considering many observers believed if he didn’t get him out in the first six rounds he would be in big bother, Daniel showed that it was he who possessed the greater resolve down the stretch and winning in this fashion will do wonders for his confidence.
In conclusion, the Day of Reckoning delivered a festive fillip to the sport of boxing as we prepare to go bigger and better in 2024, starting off with the Ring of Fire undisputed blockbuster on February 17.
With His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and the Riyadh Season team firmly in our corner, boxing can and will go from strength to strength over the next 12 months and life changing opportunities will be extended to fighters across the board.
This is a chance for all of us in the business to put boxing back into the mainstream and show the world the sport at its very best. I, for one, will certainly be giving it my best shot.