Day of Reckoning - Official Interactive Digital Programme

LIVE ON

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JOSHUA VS WALLIN APPROX 10.30PM GMT/1.30AM KSA | WILDER VS PARKER APPROX 9.30PM GMT/12.30AM KSA

LIVE ON AIR 4PM GMT/7PM KSA

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FIRST FIGHT 4:15PM GMT/7:15PM KSA

H.E. TURKI ALALSHIKH

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY (GEA) The “Day of Reckoning” night will be an unforgettable boxing event that will go in as one of the greatest in history. It will take place on December 23 at Kingdom Arena, one of the zones of Riyadh Season. The event will feature top-notch fighters like Anthony Joshua, Otto Wallin,

Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker, and more, competing in eight thrilling fights.

Riyadh Season is known for hosting the best entertainment experiences annually, attracting talents from around the world to showcase innovative international and local shows. In the past four years,

Riyadh Season has successfully organized events in sports, gaming, exhibitions, and fashion, establishing itself as a global destination for local enthusiasts and tourists alike.

PROMOTER’S MESSAGE HAVING PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED the delights of Riyadh Season at the opening back in October, I am all the more privileged and excited to be back for another bonanza of boxing.

As always, my sincere appreciation goes to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and Head of Riyadh Season, along with Doctor Rakan and all the team, for making all our grand plans become a reality and placing boxing at the pinnacle of Saudi Arabia’s vision for sport.

Working all together, ourselves at Queensberry along with numerous other promoters - who my thanks go out to have delivered a card fully stocked with superstars of the sport and having them all fight on the same night will be an unprecedented occasion. I must also thank Spencer Brown and his Goldstar promotions who help make this event happen.

Even as a veteran of over 40 years in this boxing business, being able

to stage fights of such incredible magnitude on behalf of Riyadh Season is a huge thrill and honour for myself and my colleagues. Putting it all together has involved an incredible amount of hard work and many long, long nights, but we all consider it more than worthwhile and it is an absolute pleasure to be involved.

If you had claimed, earlier this year, that we would end 2023 by having the likes of Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker, Otto Wallin, Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic, Dmitrii Bivol and Jai Opetaia all fighting at the same place on the same night, nobody would have believed you.

That this is happening now is testament His Excellency and the enormous, positive influence Saudi Arabia is bringing to our sport. Another great benefit is the fact that nights like this are just the beginning and there is so much more to come as the relationship with Riyadh Season deepens further.

Sports fans across the world are longing for a heavyweight shootout between Joshua and Wilder and this fight can happen if both are successful in very tough matches tonight with Wallin and Parker respectively.

Both are hugely significant heavyweight fights that will go a long way towards shaping next year following on from the February 17 undisputed spectacular between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Young heavyweight Daniel Dubois, an August challenger to Usyk, can kickstart his fortunes again tonight against Jarrell Miller, while cruiserweight hope, the undefeated Ellis Zorro, gets the chance of a lifetime against the IBF world champion Opetaia.

Another Brit, light heavyweight Lyndon Arthur, is another who can put his name up in lights when he takes on the WBA Super Champion Bivol in what could be a life-changing encounter.

I am also very much looking forward to assessing the heavyweight landscape, with leading contenders Hrgovic, Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez all featuring tonight.

In closing, I wish you all a magical and memorable evening, one that I feel sure will more than live up to expectations and I look forward to seeing you all again when we return on February 17 for the ‘Ring of Fire’.

THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION in boxing is a piece of sporting theatre with the ability to capture the imagination of the world.

When these globally recognised titans stride purposefully towards the ring to a backdrop of fireworks and flashing lights, the world stands still awaiting a jaw-dropping moment that can alter history and create superstardom for the executor.

There is boxing and then there is heavyweight boxing. The boxing purists may not like to admit it, but it is almost a sport within a sport. When heavyweight boxing works, the whole sport functions. You could call it a trickle-down effect.

Tonight, here in Riyadh, the heavyweight landscape will further fall into place,

12 leading heavies with 10 in the top 15 ranked in the world, bidding to put their names on the invitation list for the 2024 festivities, which will be led by the first undisputed battle of the century between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.

Anthony Joshua versus Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder versus Joseph Parker are both pivotal punch-ups that will shape much of what is to come next year. Two-time unified world champion Joshua is gunning to reclaim his status and is up against the IBF No.2 ranked contender in Wallin, who wants his own piece of the action.

Will the winner press forward for IBF glory or seek out the winner of Wilder and Parker?

Wilder is the gunpowder of the division and can explode at any moment. He is charming and charismatic, but he is the one who can close a show at a second’s notice with clinical brutality.

Former WBO world champion Parker is returning to where he once belonged, with fury in his fists and Tyson Fury firmly in his corner.

These four fighters are in prime position to challenge the supremacy of Fury and Usyk across the next 12 months, but others are looming on the horizon.

Should Wallin emerge victorious, he could well be poised to share a ring with Filip Hrgovic, the big Croatian who holds the No.1 spot with the IBF and has been patiently awaiting his chance to occupy a seat at the top table.

THE BOXING PURISTS MAY NOT LIKE TO ADMIT IT, BUT IT IS ALMOST A SPORT WITHIN A SPORT. WHEN HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING WORKS, THE WHOLE SPORT FUNCTIONS

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El Animal will be let out of his cage world is 2 1Otonight 11 to show 12 theJUDGE 1 what he JUDGE all about against the Australian Mark Di Mori, who has graphically outlined his own bad intentions.

The former WBA regular world champion Daniel Dubois, at just 26, will believe that he represents the future and 1Ohis profile 11 will 12 boom JUDGE 1 can silence JUDGE 2 if he the voluble man-mountain that is Jarrell Miller.

Arslanbek Makhmudov, the unbeaten Russian with thunder in his fists, is a threat that cannot be ignored or

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ultimately avoided. He can force his way intoJUDGE the 3bigger picture TOTAL with victory over the established European champion Agit Kabayel.

Sanchez is the technician, the patient assassin, silently prepared to make his strike and stake his own claim to heavyweight glory.

The undefeated German has operated in the background until now and has gone about his business with little fanfare.

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So many major players, so much at stake on one single night in Riyadh. And don’t rule out cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia opting to join the heavyweight party before too long.

Then there is the quiet man of the division, the unbeaten Cuban Frank Sanchez, who will be looking to finally make some noise against the big Kiwi Junior Fa.

As Michael Buffer famously hollers, ‘Let’s get this party started’.

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ON SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER, fight fans will witness boxing’s greatest champions, headto-head in what promises to OUNDS be an action-filled night of as1 part of Riyadh 9entertainment, 10 JUDGE JUDGE 2 Season. In a UK broadcast first “Day of Reckoning” will be available live on both DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office for fans to watch in the UK and Ireland. information on all the ways you can watch can be found at 9www.dayofreckoning.co.uk 1O JUDGE 1 JUDGE 2

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Main Event Ring walks expected at 22:30/1:30.

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ABOUT DAZN

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DAZN is a leading sports streaming service in Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Portugal, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the US and UK. Its wide range of content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LALIGA, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition sports around 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC. DAZN is the only place for fans 9to the1ObiggestJUDGE 1 from JUDGE 2 the world JUDGE-3FormulaTOTAL around the world to watch every NFL match outside North America.

DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment business where fans from across the globe can watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazn.com.

RECORD: 26-3

FROM: WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM

ANTHONY JOSHUA THE 2012 OLYMPIC champion Anthony Joshua is widely credited with providing a seismic reboot to British boxing upon his entry into the professional ranks.

The now 34-year-old ultimately switched to the pro-code in October 2013 and, with his glory in a home Olympics having played out in front of the nation on BBC Television, he was an instantly recognisable figure the public could get behind to transform Britain’s heavyweight fortunes.

Not since Frank Bruno wowed London audiences with his run of showreel knockouts in the eighties had a British heavy caught the imagination to such an extent.

Of course, it was a certain Tyson Fury, operating with less fanfare in the north of the country, who truly galvanised the division globally at the end of 2015 by ending the moribund era of the Klitschkos, defeating Wladimir in Dusseldorf.

Joshua himself was a big beneficiary of Fury shaking up the heavyweight world. Due to the IBF removing their belt from Fury due to being unable to fulfil a mandatory obligation, Joshua and his backers were soon able to take advantage by persuading new champion Charles Martin to travel to London and put his title on the line in front of an adoring Joshua congregation at his favourite O2 destination.

The question for Team Joshua wasn’t so much if Joshua was ready to overcome Martin in just his 16th fight, more if he was ready for what came after.

After taking possession of a world title belt there can be no turning back.

Joshua more than proved himself up to the task, defeating Martin with ease and going on to successfully defend twice before going on to unify against Klitschko and, after a barnstorming collision at Wembley Stadium, he added the WBA belt to his IBF one.

Just one fight later he placed another notch on his honours board by defeating the previously unbeaten Joseph Parker to claim the WBO belt, leaving just the WBC prize - held at the time by Deontay Wilder - missing from his Watford home.

With all fighting talk focusing on the Bronze Bomber and a fight that was proving devilishly difficult to make, Joshua then suffered a shock upset loss to Andy Ruiz in New York in June 2019 before righting his wrong in Diriyah six months later.

With the world now clamouring to see Joshua take on Fury, with the Gypsy King having dethroned Wilder across an epic trilogy, the unified champion had mandatory business to attend to and the next in line was former undisputed cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk.

Over the original fight in London and the rematch in Jeddah, Joshua couldn’t quite figure out a solution to the Usyk Rubik’s Cube and cut a frustrated figure after twice being outmanoeuvred by a smaller, yet highly-skilled, man.

With his World Heavyweight Championship belts gone, for now, Joshua set about increasing his activity levels with lower key fights against Jermaine Franklin Jr and Robert Helenius and the word quickly came out that the man on his mind was Wilder.

Before looking to knock the shine off the Bronze Bomber from Alabama, he must put himself in line by making an emphatic statement against former Fury foe and IBF No.2 ranked Otto Wallin.

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OTTO WALLIN “”

OTTO WALLIN WILL be seeking to transform himself from nearly man to nailed on contender when he takes on two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua here at the Kingdom Arena.

I FEEL LIKE HE IS ON HIS WAY DOWN...I AM GOING TO HELP HIM WITH THAT

The only once-defeated southpaw from Sweden has appeared on the cusp of the heavyweight big time for a number of years now, more so since his sole reverse when he jumped in with Tyson Fury back in 2019.

Tyson could have been teetering on the brink of stoppage due to a savage cut above his right eye - caused by a punch - and, in many instances, the doctor could well have advised that the fight be aborted.

However, the now WBC world champion soldiered on, ahead of recording something of a landslide victory on points.

The stock of the Swede should have been at an all-time high but, as is sometimes the way in boxing, his moment in the spotlight did not result in a flurry of fighting activity.

Notable wins over Travis Kauffman and Dominic Breazeale did follow, but five fights in just over three years was not a reflection of his increased standing in the sport.

Back in September of this year, Wallin finally got the chance to put his name right back in the fighting frame when he accepted an assignment in the unlikely setting of Antalya in Turkey against the formidable former unified cruiserweight world champion Murat Gassiev, who is now campaigning at heavyweight.

Despite a split verdict, many observers rated Wallin the clear winner against the fearsome punching Armenian and his against the odds victory has placed the 33-year-old right back in the heavyweight mix and ranked as a tricky prospect for Joshua tonight in the co-headline event on this unprecedented card of elite-level boxing.

“This is a huge event and I am so happy to be a part of it,” said Wallin. “This was an easy fight to make for us and I am just coming off the great win over Gassiev. I did not expect to fight once more again this year, so this is really amazing.

“I am coming in off that win, I am in a great position, I am ranked No.2 by the IBF so I am really on top of the world getting this fight. I am so ready for it, I have been waiting for it for a long time and I am just so happy and blessed to be in this position.”

Taking on Joshua is not a step into the unknown for Wallin, with him having fought the Englishman twice as an amateur and also shared sparring sessions.

Given his inside knowledge, Wallin felt

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able to make the assumption that we have already witnessed the best of the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.

“I think we both have a good idea about each other,” he added. “I fought him when I first started boxing, pretty much, when I didn’t have many fights and neither did he. We fought and I lost a close decision.

“We fought again a couple of years after in an England vs Sweden match and he won a close decision again. Then we sparred in 2016 before he fought Charles Martin.

“He was on his way up, a very good fighter. He was a very good fighter at that time also and I pretty much feel that he had his peak around 2018.

“Joshua deserves a lot of respect, he has done a lot for himself, to come from humble beginnings to conquer the division for a long time.

“Now I feel like he is on his way down, on his way out and I am going to help him with that and win this fight.”

FROM: SUNDSVALL, SWEDEN

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RECORD: 43-2-1

FROM: TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA, USA

DEONTAY WILDER WHEN DEONTAY WILDER and his Bomb Squad roll into town you can guarantee that explosive action will be top of the menu.

The Bronze Bomber is back. The man from Alabama has been greatly missed on the global boxing scene, with his 42 knockout victories from his 43 wins as a premier heavyweight.

The 38-year-old has been missing and out of action since October of 2022 and he was only on punching parade for less than three minutes since the conclusion of his trilogy battle with Tyson Fury a year earlier.

Wilder is one of the most charismatic, thrilling and captivating heavyweights in modern heavyweight boxing. Experts suggest he is the most powerful puncher of the last 40 years in the sport.

Tonight, on his welcome return, he goes up against former WBO world champion Joseph Parker in a crucial crossroads collision between two previously world champions looking to force their way back to the top table.

“It has been a journey for me and I am very excited to be here,” said the 6ft 7” force of nature, who insists he will always bring the fire. “What a magnificent card with so many warriors. I am just ready to go.

do the same thing, I am on the same mission. To regain my title and unify the division. It is my main goal.

“I have got everything I need in life, but to come back and finish what I started is going to mean everything to me, to put that little bit of icing on the cake, with everything I have accomplished, the stature that I have and many more things that will come in the future.”

“”

I HAVE THE ABILITY TO KNOCK A SINGLE MAN OUT WITH ONE PUNCH Wilder and Parker were touted to come together for a unification match when both held their respective titles, as was he and Anthony Joshua when the Briton held three belts.

“When people come to see heavyweight boxing, they come for excitement, but most of all they come to see knockouts.

One thing for sure, when I come, that is what I come to deliver.

“Many times throughout my career I didn’t have the opportunities to make unification fights. I’ve delivered opportunities to guys, but the energy hasn’t been returned back to me for various reasons.

“Come December 23 I am coming to

“With Joseph Parker, I think highly of

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him, he is an amazing human being as a man and he is a great fighter as well.

It is going to be a remarkable feeling to finally be sharing a ring with him.”

The American suspects big fights have eluded him due to his fabled punch power, which he has previously described as both a blessing and a curse.

“It is a blessing because I have the ability to knock a single man out with one punch. This is something that has been with me all my life, not something that has just been developed.

“The curse with being able to do that is it has allowed people to shy away from me, to become fearful of what may happen when they fight against me.

Sometimes that can be harmful to the business of boxing because fans just want to see the best fight the best. No matter what, win, lose or draw.

“That is what it should be about,” he reasoned, adding that a KO-blow is what he has in store for Parker.

“That is what I come to do, that is my only mission. When I look at the heavyweight division, a win is a good thing, like in basketball, I can shoot twos, threes, but there is nothing like a dunk.

“Everyone has got their personal thing they like to do, but that is what I am known for. I am glad and blessed to bring it to something that means something, we are doing this for a purpose.

“I want to continue to uplift, motivate and inspire. If people get motivation from me knocking people out, it is what I am here to do.”

JOSEPH PARKER

THE FIGHTING PRIDE of New Zealand, Joseph Parker, issued a mission statement when he played his part in the opening of Riyadh Season at the end of October.

The 31-year-old featured on the Battle of the Baddest blockbuster and now he faces his Day of Reckoning.

Parker destroyed Simon Kean inside three rounds on the undercard of Tyson Fury- Francis Ngannou, fulfilling his desire to remain active and maintain the momentum he has gathered across 2023.

With Kean accounted for in style, former WBO world champion Parker goes up against former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder in a fascinating collision of previous world champions in the heavyweight division.

“We made a decision at the beginning of the year to keep busy and this is my fourth fight of the year and it is a fight which really excites me,” said the South Aucklander of Samoan descent.

“I am excited for this fight. Throughout my career I have never moved away from big fights and big opportunity. This fight, I am ready for it. I know what we need to do.

“I respect Wilder, I respect Malik Scott, his trainer, for everything they have done in boxing, but he is in my way. I know what I can do and I am here to win.”

Parker can call on an inside track into the fighting traits of Wilder due to the flagship figure of his training camp being the Gypsy King himself, Tyson Fury, in Morecambe Bay.

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I AM GOING TO COME IN WITH A LOT OF MOVEMENT AND A LOT OF SPEED Parker insists he will principally call on his trainer to come up with a cunning plan to outflank the Bronze Bomber.

“I rely on Andy Lee to give me advice and come up with a plan, but Tyson has a lot of advice and knowledge as well on Deontay Wilder. Being the first person to beat him and also fighting him three times.

“I will lean on Tyson Fury for this one.

“I feel like my career went down a bit, but I have got a spark back and I am going to come in with a lot of movement and a lot of speed.”

Parker has always remained a force in the division and became world champion himself at the end of 2016 when he defeated Andy Ruiz to claim the WBO belt. He went on to make a successful defence against Razvan Conjanu before taking his show on the road.

In 2017 he defended again and defeated Hughie Fury in Manchester, England, before entering into a unification fight against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff and, this time, he lost out on the scorecards.

with the WBC Silver and WBO International championship belts on the line and took a second successive loss on the cards.

He returned to the winning habit in four fights across New Zealand and the USA in preparation for another return to Britain in 2021 against Derek Chisora.

Parker was put down in the first round before recovering to be on the right side of a split decision. A rematch came about seven months later and this time it was Chisora who was put to the canvas and Parker prevailed comfortably on points.

The victory set him up for a deserved tilt at the WBO Interim world title and another trip to England to go up against the then undefeated Juggernaut Joe Joyce. In a thrilling encounter in Manchester, Parker couldn’t quite knock Joyce out of his stride and the Londoner ultimately nailed Parker in the 11th round.

Parker put himself right back in the heavyweight frame against Canada’s Kean and his mission now is to defuse the Bomb Squad.

He fought another Brit, Dillian Whyte,

FROM: SOUTH AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

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RECORD: 19-2

FROM: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

DANIEL DUBOIS DANIEL DUBOIS INTENDS to demonstrate that actions will always overcome words when he jumps in with huge American heavyweight Jarrell Miller on his return to the ring tonight.

The London heavy, the former WBA regular world champion, comes into the fight off the back of a challenge for the unified world titles held by Oleksandr Usyk in August.

Dubois famously floored the great champion in the fifth round before the blow was controversially declared to have been illegal, which denied him the ultimate glory of taking home three world title belts.

After being stopped in the ninth and making himself ready to go again, the quiet man Dubois now takes on probably the noisiest man in world boxing, who is promising to inflict untold harm on his younger opponent, who he has described as a quitter.

Dubois insists he is completely unfazed by the whirlwind of words from the 35-year-old and he will silence Miller,

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once and for all in this heavyweight sizzler.

“I am excited for it,” said the musclebound Dubois. “This is it, big time boxing, baby. I’m going to chop that tree down and that is what I’m planning to do.

“Bring it on, I am ready for it, I am so motivated for this fight. After my last fight and the emotions it stirred up in me, I am up for it and I am really going to go to war in this one.

“I am going to make him pay for all his talk.”

Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs), is the former WBA Regular world heavyweight champion, having won the belt via a resounding fourth round stoppage of the American Trevor Bryan in Miami in June 2022.

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He defended the belt once six months later in London against Kevin Lerena when, after sustaining a serious knee injury in the first round, he regrouped and scored a third round intervention by the referee.

The title status of Dubois led him into a mandatory challenge to unified title holder Oleksandr Usyk in August and a controversial defeat to the unbeaten Ukrainian in Poland. In the fifth round Dubois floored the champion with a body shot, only for the referee to rule the blow low. Dubois was ultimately stopped in the ninth round.

Across his professional career, which began in 2017, the 26-year-old has won 11 major titles, including the British, Commonwealth, WBO International, WBC Silver and WBA Interim world championship.

JARRELL MILLER

THE VOLUBLE AMERICAN Jarrell Miller, very typically, did not mince his words or hold back in any way when he pondered the prospect of going up against the young London heavyweight Daniel Dubois in his own Day of Reckoning.

Miller has always talked the talk, no doubt about that, but now he must confront and overcome a genuine heavyweight article in Dubois, who has already won a WBA regular world title and challenged for the unified championships held by Oleksandr Usyk.

However, Miller remains largely unimpressed with the credentials of his much younger opponent and promises to consign him to an early retirement from the sport.

“Thank you to Daniel Dubois for being a dummy and signing the contract, because I’m gonna beat your a**!” taunted the 35-year-old. “Listen man, the proof is in the pudding, I talk this s***, but I back it up every time.

“I’m going in there to try and rip his head off. There is a saying we have in New York, ‘we smell b**** in him’ and,

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I’M KICKING HIS A** AND I’M SENDING HIM INTO EARLY RETIREMENT once the b**** is in you, it ain’t going nowhere. He quit against Joe Joyce, he got beat up by Usyk, a small guy. Joyce is big, but he ain’t Big Baby big.

“I’m telling you something, when you find a mean guy like me who is throwing 80 punches a round, who has got a good chin, don’t quit, comes forward.

“I’m kicking his a** and I’m sending him into early retirement. Plain and simple.”

Miller (26-0-1, 22 KOs), known as Big Baby, is an undefeated American heavyweight hailing from New York. Quickly identified as having a huge personality

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in the sport on turning professional in 2009, Miller became WBO NABO heavyweight champion in 2016 with victory over Nick Guivas via a second round stoppage, successfully defending the belt later in the year.

Miller was set to challenge for the unified world titles held by Anthony Joshua in June 2016 before being ruled out due to a doping charge.

His recent impressive run of victories include wins over notable opponents such as Gerald Washington, Mariusz Wach, Johann Duhaupas, Tomasz Adamek, Bogdan Dinu and Lucas Browne.

FROM: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, USA

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TALE OF THE TAPE Alias Age Height Reach Weight (last Fight) Record Kos From Titles Stance Weight Division

Alias Age Height Reach Weight (last Fight) Record Kos From Titles Stance Weight Division

Alias Age Height Reach Weight (last Fight) Record Kos From Titles Stance Weight Division

Alias Age Height Reach Weight (last Fight) Record Kos From Titles Stance Weight Division

ANTHONY JOSHUA

OTTO WALLIN

AJ 34 6′ 6″ (198cm) 82″ (208cm) 250 (lbs) 26-3-0 23 Watford, United Kingdom Former 2x Unified Champion of the world Orthodox Heavyweight

All-In 33 6′ 5½″ (197cm) 78″ (198cm) 237½ (lbs) 26-1-0 14 Sundsvall, Sweden Southpaw Heavyweight

DEONTAY WILDER

JOSEPH PARKER

Bronze Bomber 38 6′ 7" (201cm) 83″ (211cm) 214½ (lbs) 43-2-1 42 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA Former Champion of the World Orthodoxç Heavyweight

Lupesoliai La'auliolemalietoa 31 6′ 4″ (193cm) 76″ (193cm) 250 (lbs) 33-3-0 23 Auckland, New Zealand Former Champion of the World Orthodox Heavyweight

DANIEL DUBOIS

JARRELL MILLER

Dyanmite 26 6′ 5″ (196cm) 78″ (198cm) 233¼ (lbs) 19-2-0 18 London, United Kingdom Former WBA Regular world champion Orthodox Heavyweight

Big Baby 35 6′ 4″ (193cm) 78″ (198cm) 333 (lbs) 26-0-1 22 Brooklyn, New York, USA

DIMITRY BIVOL

LYNDON ARTHUR

33 6′ 0″ (183cm) 72″ (183cm) 174¾ (lbs) 21-0-0 11 Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan WBA Super Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World Orthodox Light-Heavyweight

King Arthur 32 6′ 2″ (188cm) 74″ (189cm) 174½ (lbs) 23-1-0 16 Manchester, United Kingdom IBO Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World Orthodox Light-Heavyweight

Orthodox Heavyweight

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260lbs 18-0-0 17 Mozdok, Russia NABF & WBA inter-continental Heavyweight Champion Orthodox Heavyweight

238lbs 23-0-0 15 Bochum, Germany EBU European Heavyweight Champion Orthodox Heavyweight

JAI OPETAIA

ELLIS ZORRO

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28 6′ 2″ (188cm) 76″ (193cm) 198¼ (lbs) 23-0-0 18 Sydney, Australia Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Champion OUNDS Southpaw Cruiserweight

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AGIT KABAYEL 31 6′ 3″ (191cm)

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Lion 34 6′ 5½″ (197cm)

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ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV

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MARK DE MORI

El Animal 31 6′ 6″ (198cm) 81.9" (208 cm) 243lbs 16-0-0 13 Zagreb, Croatia

The Viking 41 6′ 2″ (188cm)

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249lbs 41-2-2 36 Perth, Australia

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JUDGE 2FRANK SANCHEZ JUDGE 3

TOTAL

The Cuban Flash 31 6′ 4″ (193cm) 78″ (198cm) 241½lbs 23-0-0 16 Guntanamo, Cuba WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion Orthodox Heavyweight

JUDGE 2

199¼ (lbs) 17-0-0 7 London, United Kingdom WBO European Cruiserweight Champion Orthodox Cruiserweight

FILIP HRGOVIC

Orthodox Heavyweight

JUDGE 1

31 6' 4" (193 cm)

JUDGE 3

TOTAL

JUNIOR FA 34 6′ 5″ (196cm) 80½″ (204cm) 268¼ (lbs) 20-2-0 11 Papakura, New Zealand Orthodox Heavyweight

OFFICIALS 12 X 3 MINUTE ROUNDS INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST

ANTHONY JOSHUA V OTTO WALLIN BBBOFC REPRESENTATIVE MR ROBERT SMITH (CARDIFF, WALES) BBBOFC REFEREE MR STEVE GRAY (FLEETWOOD, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR MICHAEL ALEXANDER (DONCASTER, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR ANDREAS STENBERG (GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN) BBBOFC JUDGE STEVE WEISFELD (NEW JERSEY, USA)

THE VACANT WBC INTERNATIONAL & WBO INTERCONTINENTAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

DEONTAY WILDER V JOSEPH PARKER

BBBOFC STEWARD IN CHARGE MR ROBYN SMITH (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) WBC SUPERVISOR MR MAURO BETTI (ROME ITALY) WBO SUPERVISOR MR ROBERT SMITH (CARDIFF, WALES) WBC/WBO REFEREE MR MARK LYSON (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) WBC/WBO JUDGE MR JOHN LATHAM (BURY, ENGLAND) WBC/WBO JUDGE MR STEVE GRAY (FLEETWOOD, ENGLAND) WBC/WBO JUDGE MR MICHAEL ALEXANDER (DONCASTER, ENGLAND)

THE WBA SUPER AND IBO WORLD LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

DMITRY BIVOL V LYNDON ARTHUR

BBBOFC STEWARD IN CHARGE MR ROBYN SMITH (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) WBA SUPERVISOR MS MARIANA BORISSOVA (SOFIA, BLUGARIA) IBO SUPERVISOR MR FELIX RACZ (BUDAPEST, HUNGARY) WBA REFEREE MR JOHN LATHAM (BURY, ENGLAND) WBA JUDGE MR STEVE WEISFELD (NEW JERSEY, USA) WBA JUDGE MR JEAN ROBERT LAINE (MONTE CARLO, MONACO) WBA JUDGE MR IGNACIO ROBLES (PANAMA CITY, PANAMA)

10 X 3 MINUTE ROUNDS INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST

DANIEL DUBOIS V JARRELL MILLER BBBOFC STEWARD IN CHARGE MR ROBYN SMITH (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) BBBOFC REFEREE MR MICHAEL ALEXANDER (DONCASTER, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR JOHN LATHAM (BURY, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR MARK LYSON (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR KEVIN PARKER (NEWARK, ENGLAND)

THE WBA INTERCONTINENTALAND NABF HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV V AGIT KABAYEL BBBOFC STEWARD IN CHARGE MR ROBYN SMITH (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) WBC SUPERVISOR MR MAURO BETTI (ROME, ITALY) WBA/WBC REFEREE MR MARK LYSON (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) WBA /WBC JUDGE MR KEVIN PARKER (NEWARK, ENGLAND) WBA/WBC JUDGE MR GUIDO CAVALIERI (BERGAMO, ITALY) WBA/WBC JUDGE MR MASSIMO BARROVECHIO (ROME, ITALY)

12 X 3 MINUTE ROUNDS CRUISERWEIGHT CONTEST

JAI OPETAIA V ELLIS ZORRO BBBOFC STEWARD IN CHARGE MR ROBYN SMITH (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) BBBOFC REFEREE MR JOHN LATHAM (BURY, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR STEVE GRAY (FLEETWOOD, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR MARK LYSON (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) BBBOFC JUDGE MR KEVIN PARKER (NEWARK, ENGLAND)

1010X X3 3MINUTE MINUTEROUNDS ROUNDSINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONALHEAVYWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTCONTEST CONTEST

FILIP FILIPHRGOVIC HRGOVICVVMARK MARKDEDEMORI MORI BBBOFC BBBOFC STEWARD STEWARD ININ CHARGE CHARGEMR MR ROBYN ROBYN SMITH SMITH(HARROGATE, (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) BBBOFC BBBOFC REFEREE REFEREEMR MR MARK MARK LYSON LYSON(LIVERPOOL, (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) BBBOFC BBBOFC JUDGE JUDGEMR MR JOHN JOHN LATHAM LATHAM(BURY, (BURY, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) BBBOFC BBBOFC JUDGE JUDGEMR MR KEVIN KEVIN PARKER PARKER(NEWARK, (NEWARK, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) BBBOFC BBBOFC JUDGE JUDGEMR MR MICHAEL MICHAEL ALEXANDER ALEXANDER(DONCASTER, (DONCASTER, ENGLAND) ENGLAND)

THETHEWBC WBCCONTINENTAL CONTINENTALAMERICAS AMERICASAND ANDNABO NABOHEAVYWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTCHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP

FRANK FRANKSANCHEZ SANCHEZVVJUNIOR JUNIORJAJA

BBBOFC BBBOFC STEWARD STEWARD ININ CHARGE CHARGEMR MR ROBYN ROBYN SMITH SMITH(HARROGATE, (HARROGATE, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) WBO WBO SUPERVISOR SUPERVISORMR MR ROBERT ROBERT SMITH SMITH(CARDIFF, (CARDIFF, WALES) WALES) WBC WBC SUPERVISOR SUPERVISORMR MR MAURO MAURO BETTI BETTI(ROME, (ROME, ITALY) ITALY) WBC/NABO WBC/NABO REFEREE REFEREEMR MR KEVIN KEVIN PARKER PARKER(NEWARK, (NEWARK, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) WBC/NABO WBC/NABO JUDGE JUDGEMR MR MARK MARK LYSON LYSON(LIVERPOOL, (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) ENGLAND) WBC/NABO WBC/NABO JUDGE JUDGEMR MR GUIDO GUIDO CAVALIERI CAVALIERI(BERGAMOL, (BERGAMOL, ITALY) ITALY) WBC/NABO WBC/NABO JUDGE JUDGEMR MR MASSIMO MASSIMO BARROVECHIO BARROVECHIO(ROME, (ROME, ITALY) ITALY)

BBBOFC OFFICIALS GENERAL SECRETARY

MR ROBERT SMITH (CARDIFF, WALES)

STEWARD-IN-CHARGE

MR ROBYN SMITH (HARROGATE, ENGLAND)

REFEREES

MR KEVIN PARKER (NEWARK, ENGLAND) MR MARK LYSON (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) MR STEVE GRAY (FLEETWOOD, ENGLAND) MR MICHAEL ALEXANDER (DONCASTER, ENGLAND) MR JOHN LATHAM (BURY, ENGLAND)

TIMEKEEPER

MR JASON BOOTH (NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND) MR ANDREW EAST (WARRINGTON, ENGLAND)

INSPECTORS

MISS SALLY SEY (MANCHESTER,. ENGLAND) MR LES POTTS (STAFFORD, ENGLAND) MRS SUZANNE POTTS (STAFFORD, ENGLAND) MR DAN FROST (WATFORD, ENGLAND) MR ROBERT MYATT (GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND)

MEDICAL OFFICERS

DR NEIL SCOTT (CARDIFF, WALES) DR IAN WHITE (WOKING, ENGLAND) DR SANOOJ SONI (WRAYBURY, ENGLAND)

RING ANNOUNCERS

MR MICHAEL BUFFER (LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA) MR THOMAS TRIEBER (SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA)

RECORD: 21-0

FROM: CALIFORNIA, USA / TOKMOK, KYRGYZSTAN

DMITRY BIVOL “” DMITRY BIVOL IS gunning for the status of being undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world, but first he must account for the IBO title holder in the shape of the Briton Lyndon Arthur, who will more than test the credentials of the WBA champion here in Riyadh.

Bivol, conqueror of the great Canelo some 19 months ago in Las Vegas, appeared to have the world of boxing in his gifted hands back then, but he has endured a period of inactivity since overcoming Gilberto Ramirez in November of last year.

Of course, should he be successful against King Arthur, his light heavyweight End Game remains a collision with his countryman Artur Beterbiev with all the belts on the line, but the unified champion has mandatory business against Callum Smith to attend to first in January.

With this in mind, Bivol is grateful to be coming up against a fellow champion in Manchester’s Arthur, who he has always been aware of as a threat on the horizon.

“I’m so appreciative of Saudi Arabia for making this fight for me and I am glad that I have such a good opponent as Lyndon Arthur,” said Bivol. “Many times people from the UK have asked me what

AGE: AGE:33 33

I AM STILL GOING TOWARDS MY GOAL OF BEING UNDISPUTED

I think about him and he is a good guy.

He is tall, he has experience and he is a good challenge for me right now.

Junior champion, who also benefited from significant World Series of Boxing experience as a decorated amateur star.

“He won the title with the IBO and this is motivating me a little bit. He is a wellschooled, classic boxer and this is what I know about him.

The 33-year-old turned professional in 2014 and became WBA Intercontinental light heavyweight champion the following year with a stoppage victory over Jackson dos Santos. The gifted Bivol won the WBA Interim world title via victory over Felix Valera in 2016 and made two successful defences before securing the WBA full title with a first round stoppage of Trent Broadhurst in 2017.

“I just want to show good boxing skills and discipline. I want to show to my people from Kyrgyzstan and Russia, who know me, that if you train hard you can achieve something.

“I am still going towards my goal of being undisputed with small steps every time and I hope we will make a good fight. I hope and believe I should win.”

Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), the California-based Russian, was the 2006 World

WEIGHT: WEIGHT:LIGHT LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Bivol has made nine defences of his WBA championship, a run which includes a victory over undisputed super middleweight champion Saul Alvarez in 2022.

LYNDON ARTHUR

“”

MANCHESTER LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT King Lyndon Arthur admits that his shot at seizing the WBA World title currently in the possession of Dmitry Bivol came right out of the blue.

I HAVE SEEN LOADS THAT I CAN EXPLOIT IN BIVOL AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT

Arthur, 32, was marking time in the gym following his IBO title winning success over Braian Nahuel Suarez in Bolton back in September when he got the surprise call inviting him to be part of Riyadh Season and taking on Bivol into the bargain.

Like most others featuring on this card packed with superstars, he had no hesitation in accepting.

Arthur is not the type to consider himself an underdog in any fight, so fans can expect a world class clash when these two champions meet in the middle of the ring.

“It kind of came out of nowhere, but this is boxing and this is what happens,” said Arthur on his offer to fight in Saudi Arabia. “You have to take these kind of opportunities when they come.

“I have seen loads that I can exploit in Bivol and I cannot wait for it.”

Arthur’s other significant action across his pro career to date came with two fights against fellow Brit Anthony Yarde, with Arthur winning the first via a split decision after 12 rounds. Yarde would be successful in the rematch via a fourth round stoppage.

Arthur had won the Commonwealth title in October 2019 flooring and outpointing good Ghanaian Emmanuel Anim to capture the crown in Leeds.

“Everybody knows how good Bivol is, it is no big secret, with him beating Canelo and stuff like that. I have to do what I have to do and that is to go in there and try and upset the plans for the future that he’s got.

Arthur lives in Moston close to Manchester city centre and started boxing 11 years ago on the advice of trainer Pat Barrett to keep him off the streets in one of Manchester’s most deprived areas.

“I am excited to be part of this big event and there are a lot of headline fights on it.

As an amateur he quickly progressed to the Team GB squad in Sheffield, but says he was always destined to turn

RECORD: 23-1

professional. Arthur had around 50 amateur fights, represented England, reached two ABA finals and competed in the World Series of Boxing as part of the British Lionhearts squad in 2016.

He turned professional in September 2016 and Barrett made sure he was matched carefully during the early stages of his professional career. It wasn’t until his 11th fight that he stepped up and faced former Commonwealth champion Charles Adamu who he soundly outpointed over six rounds.

Four KOs on the spin against Adam Williams, Emmanuel Feuzeu, Gonzalo Romero and Andrzej Soldra followed - with three of them coming in the opening round.

That hard-hitting form led towards the Anim contest and the fights against Yarde where he firmly established himself as one of the 175lb division’s top operators.

FROM: MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM

AGE: AGE:32 32

WEIGHT: WEIGHT:LIGHT LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

THE FORMIDABLE RUSSIAN Arslanbek Makhmudov, AKA The Lion, introduced himself to Riyadh Season in a brutal and spectacular fashion back at the opening in October.

The American Junior Anthony Wright lasted a matter of just 70 seconds in the ring with Makhmudov, who has built up a professional record, with 17 stoppages in his 18 heavyweight fights to date.

The 6ft 5.5” giant announced himself as a huge player in the heavyweight business and left fans pondering future potential opponents for the hammer-handed puncher.

The answer tonight is an unbeaten opponent in the European champion Agit Kabayel.

The 34-year-old Makhmudov, who resides in Montreal, Canada, got into the title winning industry in just his eighth fight as a pro when he went up against the respected Jonathan Rice for the WBC Continental Americas title in Montreal.

Later in 2019, Makhmudov added the North American Boxing Federation title to his belt tally with victory over the 14-1 Julian Fernandez, defending against Samuel Peter at the end of the year with a resounding first round KO.

ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV AGE: 34

RECORD: 18-0

Dillon Carman, Pavel Sour, Erkan Teper and Mariusz Wach were vanquished in his next four fights with North American honours at stake before Makhmudov stepped up to face Carlos Takam in September 2022, with the WBC Silver title added to the prizes.

The tough Takam, who also featured on Battle of the Baddest, extended Makhmudov to the final bell for the one and only time in his career.

More recently, Michael Wallisch and Raphael Akpejiori lasted a combined three rounds between them against the big-punching Makhmudov.

FROM: CANADA/RUSSIA

WEIGHT: HEAVYWEIGHT

AGIT KABAYEL KNOWS he is attempting to slay a giant when he steps in with Arslanbek Makhmudov here at the Kingdom Arena tonight.

A battle of the unbeatens will unfold between a Russian colossus and a smart punching German, a knockout artist vs an established and experienced European champion for the right to proceed and seize an opportunity against the elite of the heavyweight division.

Kabayel accepts he is in for a big fight in more ways than one.

“He is a big opponent and I am ready for 23 December,” said the man from Bochum in the North West of Germany.

“I am happy and I am ready.”

Even though he probably wasn’t aware of the prospect of taking on Makhmudov at the time, Kabayel was a keen student making notes when he faced Junior Anthony Wright in October.

“I watched the fight and he is a very good opponent and an aggressive guy.

This will be a very good fight between two guys with a 0 who have not lost.

“This is a fight between two very, very tough guys.

“I am ready for this.”

Kabayel (23-0, 15 KOs), the 31-year-old, has been a long-standing holder of the EBU European heavyweight championship. He first took possession of the belt in 2016 when he triumphed over the undefeated Christian Lewandowski.

He went on to make four successful defences against opponents including Derek Chisora and Andrii Rudenko, before winning back the relinquished title with victory over Agron Smakici in March of this year.

AGE: AGE:31 31

RECORD: RECORD:23-0 23-0

AGIT KABAYEL FROM: FROM:BOCHUM, BOCHUM,GERMANY GERMANY

WEIGHT: WEIGHT:HEAVYWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

JAI OPETAIA WHEN JAI OPETAIA travelled to London for media duties, having shortly before agreed to play his part in Riyadh Season’s Day of Reckoning spectacular, he didn’t give any thought at all to the name that was put to him as an opponent.

For the Australian, it was more about having his name up in lights in Riyadh and being part of a show featuring multiple world champions and former world champions.

“There is a big part of me that is so grateful to be a part of this card, but the rest of me tells me that I deserve to be here,” said the 28-year-old. “I’ve earned my spot here and, on December 23, I will remind everyone that I am the best cruiserweight on the planet.

“We’ve got to get in those trenches and anyone who is in front of me, we’ve got to beat. That is all we think of, not who I am fighting.

“When they started describing the show and who is going to be on it, these opportunities don’t come along very often. I grabbed it with both hands and it wouldn’t have mattered who I was fighting. It is just about being part of a huge show like this and it being a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

“I’m not shocked to be here, but I am grateful at the same time. I can’t wait to have this big platform to showcase what I do once again. On the next fight night I will be fighting closer to the main event with these big names.”

AGE: 28

RECORD: 23-0

“”

I AM THE BEST CRUISERWEIGHT ON THE PLANET Opetaia (23-0, 18 KOs), was a 2011 World Junior champion and 2012 London Olympian. The Sydney southpaw turned professional in 2015 and became IBF Youth cruiserweight champion via a defeat of the 10-0 Frankie Lopez in 2017. He won the WBO Asia Pacific IBF Pan Pacific titles in 2018 before becoming WBO Global champion the following year, in which he also claimed the IBF Asia Oceania belt.

The Sydney southpaw marked himself out as a champion of considerable distinction in 2022 when he outpointed the celebrated Mairis Briedis on the Gold Coast to win the IBF world title, a championship he has since defended this year with a fourth round stoppage of previously undefeated Englishman Jordan Thompson in London.

FROM: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

WEIGHT: CRUISERWEIGHT

and probably will ever be involved in.

“I am buzzing and looking forward to it.

“I have watched his fights, he’s got a good boxing IQ, he is a southpaw who is quick and powerful. I haven’t really seen any loopholes in what he does just yet, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any.

“I can’t focus on what he has done to other opponents because styles make fights.”

The 17-0 star and Boxxer Tournament winner signed a promotional agreement with Frank Warren and Queensberry before swiftly making his first appearance at York Hall in September 2022.

ELLIS ZORRO

ELLIS ZORRO BELIEVES he is taking on the world’s premier cruiserweight when he faces Australian ace Jai Opetaia.

Zorro had no hesitation in accepting an invitation to Riyadh, even though he knows he will be pegged as a sizable underdog in the betting odds.

“This is arguably the best cruiserweight in the world at the moment, so I have definitely got to be on my A-game,” reasoned Zorro. “This is the biggest event I have ever been involved with

AGE: AGE:31 31

RECORD: RECORD:17-0 17-0

FROM: KINGDOM FROM:LONDON, LONDON,UNITED UNITED KINGDOM

He didn’t have it all his own way against the experienced Dec Spelman but ultimately prevailed on the scorecards over eight rounds. Victory over the toughas-nails Spelman put him right into title contention.

His wish came true at York Hall in May when he fought for the WBO European title in a step-up fight against former British light heavyweight champion Hosea Burton.

Another absorbing battle played out, with Burton edging much of the early exchanges and holding a lead on the cards. Zorro, however, is made of tough stuff and he found a vacant home for his booming right hand in the seventh round and it was game over for Burton, who later announced his retirement from the sport.

A jeweller by trade, Zorro entered the tournament staged in May up in Manchester and cruised to success, beating James Farrell, Jamie Smith and Ricky Reeves via unanimous decisions.

Zorro made a first defence of his WBO belt in October, defeating the tough Italian Luca D’Ortenzi via a unanimous decision at London’s York Hall.

WEIGHT: CRUISERWEIGHT WEIGHT: CRUISERWEIGHT

FILIP HRGOVIC

CROATIA’S TOP HEAVYWEIGHT Filip Hrgovic has every possible incentive to maintain his unbeaten record when he goes up against the Australian Mark De Mori here tonight in Riyadh.

“”

I AM NEXT IN LINE FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

‘El Animal’ has held the No.1 spot in the rankings with the IBF for a considerable period of time now and he simply cannot afford to falter at the final hurdle.

Hrgovic has the prospect of facing the victor out of the forthcoming Ring of Fire undisputed clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in store, while the possibility remains that he could also end of fighting one of the leading IBF contenders out of tonight’s big matchup between Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin.

So opting to fight tonight against De Mori is a high-stakes move by the 31-year-old.

“I am glad that my opponent is very excited!” said Hrgovic in reaction to his opponent promising to bring violence.

“I hope that we put up a good performance and give to the fans what they want to see.

“I am next in line for the heavyweight championship of the world and I will fight the winner out of Usyk against Fury, or if they vacate the titles due to a rematch, I will fight the next best ranked contender in the IBF rankings, which will be the winner of the fight between Joshua and Wallin.

will see what happens, but I am looking forward to big fights.”

Hrgovic (16-0, 13 KOs) is a 2016 Olympian and veteran of 30 appearances in the World Series of Boxing. The Croatian was also gold medallist at the 2010 World Youth Championships in Baku, where he defeated Joseph Parker and 2016 Olympic champion Tony Yoka. In 2015 he became European Amateur champion.

Hrgovic turned professional in 2017 and won the WBC International title the following year with a third round victory over Amir Mansour and went on to make three successful defences of the belt.

In 2020 he became IBF International champion by overcoming Rydell Booker in five rounds and made two victorious defences before taking on Zhilei Zhang in a final eliminator for the full IBF title.

After narrowly beating Zhang by decision, Hrgovic travelled to London and defeated the unbeaten Australian Demsey McKean in August.

“So next year will be interesting, we

AGE: 31

RECORD: 16-0

FROM: ZAGREB, CROATIA

WEIGHT: HEAVYWEIGHT

MARK DE MORI MARK DE MORI is planning on inflicting his own brand of violence on Filip Hrgovic tonight.

The big Aussie gets the chance to completely disrupt the IBF world heavyweight rankings when he takes on the No.1 contender for the world title and it is not an opportunity he intends to let pass without creating some considerable havoc along the way.

“I’ve had 11 wins in a row, 10 by knockout, and I am aware they haven’t been of the same class as Filip Hrgovic,” said the Perth puncher. “I’ve watched his career, I am very aware that he is very talented, he hits hard and has got a good chin. But with any human being that I fight, I am going to try and rupture his spleen and attack his body.

“I am not going to sit on the end of his jab and try and win a 12 round fight against a guy of that height. I am looking for a very violent first four rounds.

“I also know my personality and, when that bell goes, respect finishes and you want to win. It is my nature, we are all gunslingers, we are here to fight and we love it.”

“A win would completely change my career and life with the money you could make in a rematch. The confidence I would have in myself in what I could tell

FROM: FROM:PERTH, PERTH,AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA

WEIGHT: HEAVYWEIGHT WEIGHT: HEAVYWEIGHT

“I will let my hands fly in those first four rounds and we will see what happens.

RECORD: RECORD:41-2-2 41-2-2

my kids and grandkids about my career.

That is how much respect I have for Filip Hrgovic.

De Mori (41-2-2, 36 KOs) turned professional back in 2004 and, after only a single defeat in his first 20 fights, won the WBC Asian Continental title in 2012 with a fourth round stoppage of Rob Calloway.

He won the WBU world title with victory over Adnan Buharalija in 2013 before adding the WBF version of the title later in the year with a stoppage win over Ivica Perkovic. He successfully defended the WBU title in 2014 with a DQ victory over Marino Goles in Germany before taking on former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye in London, where he would fall to a first round defeat. Since his Haye setback, De Mori has recorded 11 straight wins.

“What will be, will be, but I will be there trying to fight, trying to expose something, while being aware that he is a good strong fighter.

AGE: AGE:41 41

“”

I AM LOOKING FOR A VERY VIOLENT FIRST 4 ROUNDS

FRANK SANCHEZ

CUBAN HEAVYWEIGHT STAR Frank Sanchez made his professional debut in 2017 having departed his native country to begin a new life for himself in the USA. Sanchez (23-0, 16 KOs) resides in Florida, having been National Champion in his homeland in 2015, also appearing in the World Series of Boxing as an amateur.

The 31-year-old, who goes by the nickname of Cuban Flash, after turning professional with a first round stoppage of Justin Thornton, became WBO AGE: 31

NABO champion in 2019 with victory over Victor Bisbal. He defended the belt three times and added the WBC Continental Americas title to his honours list, before entering into a breakthrough fight against fellow unbeaten heavyweight Efe Ajagba in October 2021 in Las Vegas, where he triumphed via a unanimous decision.

The Ajagba triumph proved to be the catalyst for Sanchez to step into and be considered amongst the elite heavyweights on the planet and give himself the opportunity to propel himself into contention for potential world title action.

Four further victories followed, including a unanimous decision victory over Christian Hammer, with his most recent action coming in September when he defeated Scott Alexander via a fourth round stoppage.

RECORD: 23-0

FROM: CUBA/USA

JUNIOR FA

IN HIS OWN words, Junior Fa stated that his fight against Frank Sanchez here in Riyadh features on ‘probably the best card the world has ever seen’.

Fa fights against the undefeated American-based Cuban tonight, knowing full well that the odds are stacked against him when he begins trading blows with a man many people tip for world title honours.

Fa acknowledges that he has been handed a ‘Golden Ticket’ to the top that he didn’t see coming and he simply intends to seize his moment and give it his best shot.

“This is just a great opportunity that I have to showcase my skills and be on this massive, stacked card,” considered

AGE: 34

RECORD: 20-2

WEIGHT: HEAVYWEIGHT

Fa. “Probably the best card that the world has ever seen.

“So I am taking the opportunity with both hands. Frank Sanchez is a great fighter, a great technical heavyweight contender.

I know what I am in for and I am here, basically, to steal the night and put on the performance of my lifetime” Fa (20-2, 11 KOs), from New Zealand, was a 2009 National Champion in his homeland, defeating Joseph Parker in the final. He competed in the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and made regular appearances in the World Series of Boxing. The 34-year-old became National champion as a professional in 2017 and then challenged Parker for the WBO Oriental title in 2021, but lost out over 12 rounds in Auckland, later losing to former WBA champion Lucas Browne. His most recent action came in October of 2022 when he defeated Tussi Asafo via a first round stoppage.

FROM: Otahuhu, New Zealand

WEIGHT: HEAVYWEIGHT