Day of Reckoning in Riyadh approaches for Pacific stars Parker, Fa and Opetaia
In a battle of former heavyweight world champions who stand just one punch away from a return to boxing’s top table, Kiwi Joseph Parker and American hitman Deontay Wilder are leaving no stones unturned in their search for a competitive edge ahead of their Day of Reckoning clash in Riyadh on December 23. (Sunday December 24 NZDT)
Wilder, the truly frightening former WBC champion with 42 thunderous knockouts to his name, has recruited both a friend and a foe of Parker’s for his camp in Alabama.
Junior Fa – whose arm was raised twice in amateur clashes against Parker and who then pushed him all the way over 12 rounds as a pro in 2021 – is a firm foe with a unique insight into his fierce Kiwi rival.
Veteran camp-hand Malik Scott, on the other hand, is a long-time Parker ally and sparring partner who has helped the former WBO champ prepare for some of the biggest fights of his career.
“That’s the boxing business,” shrugs Parker.
“I have a lot of respect for Malik and Junior, and a lot of respect for Wilder and what he has done in boxing.
“Junior has been a sparring partner of Deontay’s for a long time. But when Junior fought me I was a different fighter. And when Malik was sparring with me for the Anthony Joshua fight, I was a different fighter.
“So, if they want to rely on the knowledge of the fighter I used to be, then great. I’ve evolved as a fighter physically, mentally and technically. Everything has improved.”
Parker, of course, has no shortage of insight into how to defeat Wilder, thanks to a friendship bordering on brotherhood with Tyson Fury – the only man to dent Wilder’s 42-2-1 record.
“Ultimately Andy [Lee] is the coach with the game plan,” says Parker.
“But I have been able to lean on Tyson. We’re communicating often. He’s giving the best advice he can – but I’m not going to tell you what he told me.”
And it has been more than just Fury’s advice that Parker has benefitted from. When the Parker-Wilder fight was confirmed, Fury flew back from filming promotional material in Saudi Arabia to Morecombe to spar with his Kiwi mate.
“Rounds with Tyson are the best work you can ever get in terms of sparring,” says Parker.
“Any time I’ve needed him – and especially for this fight when I’ve needed him more – he’s given his time to help.”
For his part, Fa is not the least bit conflicted about his role in Wilder’s plot to dismantle his countryman.
“Zero mixed feelings,” says Fa. “Zero – this is a sport and this is a business. This is how we feed our families. I am not feeding Joseph and he is not feeding me. This is about us doing what we can for ourselves for our careers.”
Fa, of course, is much more than a bit part player in this drama – with the 20-2 contender having serious business of his own to take care of in Riyadh in the form of undefeated Cuban Frank Sanchez.
Ranked in the top 10 by the WBC (4), IBF (6), WBA (8) and Ring magazine (9), the 23-0 Sanchez is the most accomplished fighter Fa has faced other than Parker.
Fighting in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena in front of a massive global TV audience is a huge swing in fortune for Fa, whose last outing was a one-round demolition of 0-7 punching bag Tussi Asafo at Auckland’s Stanmore Bay Events Centre.
With his career seemingly on the ropes, Fa knows fate has finally smiled at him.
“This is massive. Massive. This is the biggest boxing card the world has seen and I get to be on it. It’s a massive opportunity with a huge reward. That means I’ve got to show up on the night and perform. The whole boxing world is watching.
“[Sanchez] is a very good fighter, a very good boxer. So I know where this fight is going to take me. There are going to be some hard spots. It is a big ask but I also know I am good enough to take him out.”
With Australian-born Samoan Jai Opetaia also on the blockbuster card, having vacated his IBF world cruiserweight title to take on undefeated Brit Ellis Zorro, the eyes of the Pacific will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on December 23. (Sunday December 24 NZDT)
Will Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder remain on a collision course? Or will they be derailed by fellow top ten ranked fighters Parker and Otto Wallin?
Who will remain standing when big boppers Daniel Dubois and Jarrell Miller collide?
And can Fa seize his golden opportunity against one of the hottest prospects in the division?
Boxing has never seen a card quite like this. The Day of Reckoning approaches.
Catch all of the action by adding the pay-per-view to your DAZN subscription for NZD $27.99.
For more information or interviews with Joseph Parker and Junior Fa please contact: [email protected]
Riyadh Season: Day of Reckoning
Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin; Heavyweight
Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker; Heavyweight
Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur; For Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title
Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller; Heavyweight
Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro; Cruiserweight
Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark de Mori; Heavyweight
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel; For Kabayel’s European heavyweight title
Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa; Heavyweight
Coverage Starts:
Sun 24th Dec at UK 4:00pm / NZDT 5:00am / AEDT 3:00am
Estimated ring walk times:
Joshua vs Wallin – UK 11:45pm / NZDT 12:45pm / AEDT 10:45am
Wilder vs Parker – UK 10:35pm / NZDT 11:35am / AEDT 9:35am
Opetaia vs Zorro – UK 6:15pm / NZDT / 7:15am / AEDT 5:15am
Fa vs Sanchez – UK 4:15pm / NZDT 5:15am / AEDT 3:15am
Where to watch?
Live on DAZN.com – Add pay-per-view to your DAZN plan for NZD $27.99
More info:
https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/news/boxing/dazn-to-show-anthony-joshua-vs-otto-wallin-deontay-wilder-vs-joseph-parker/mkyge9movkxs1j3hg2w3j5fqd
