LATEST: Joshua dominates Wallin in Riyadh as Wilder suffers shock defeat
Big-time boxing returns to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, December 23, with one of the year's most eagerly anticipated boxing cards.
Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker are just some of the famous names appearing on a show that is part of Riyadh Season – the kingdom's programme of culture and entertainment.
If the recent Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou event is anything to go by then expect a lavish production and an early Christmas gift for fight fans this weekend.
What is it?
Saudi Arabia is becoming a real hotbed for high-level boxing, especially the heavyweight division. This card boasts eight fights in total, six of them at heavyweight, one at cruiserweight and one at light heavyweight.
All the action will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Who is headlining?
The card has co-main events in Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin, and Deontay Wilder v Joseph Parker, but Joshua-Wallin is expected to close the show. Joshua is on the comeback trail after successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and needs a win here to move on to bigger challenges. That could mean a showdown with Wilder if the American can get past New Zealand's Parker.
What about the undercard?
The whole card is stacked from top to bottom, including many top heavyweights, as well as leading light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol and the world's No 1 cruiserweight in Jai Opetaia. The full card is as follows:
Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin, heavyweight
Deontay Wilder v Joseph Parker, heavyweight
Dmitry Bivol v Lyndon Arthur, light-heavyweight
Daniel Dubois v Jarrell Miller, heavyweight
Jai Opetaia v Ellis Zorro, cruiserweight
Arslanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel, heavyweight
Frank Sanchez v Junior Fa, heavyweight
Filip Hrgovic v Mark De Mori, heavyweight
When is the weigh-in?
The weigh-in will take place at 7pm local time (8pm UAE, 4pm UK) on Friday, December 22.
What time does it start?
The action starts on fight night at 7pm local time (8pm UAE, 4pm UK) on Saturday, December 23.
What time are the ring walks for the main events?
The ring walks for Wilder v Parker are expected to be at around 12:30am local time (1:30am UAE, 9:30pm UK), Joshua v Wallin will then follow at 1:30am local time (2:30am UAE, 10:30pm UK).
How can you watch?
The event is being shown by streaming service DAZN.
