Summary

  • Anthony Joshua beats Otto Wallin in main event in Saudi Arabia

  • Briton secures third win in a row in 2023 with confident, methodical performance

  • Joshua hurt Wallin at end of fifth with right hand & corner pulls Swede out of fight between rounds

  • Joshua & Wilder fought on the same card for the first time with view to a showdown in 2024

  • But Joseph Parker pulls off perfect gameplan to get unanimous points decision against Wilder

  • Parker rocks Wilder in eighth round in a dominating performance

  • All three judges score fight for Parker, 118-111, 118-110 & 120-108

  • Manchester's Lyndon Arthur fails in world title challenge against Dmitry Bivol with wide points defeat

  • Bivol retains WBA (Super) light-heavyweight title & extends undefeated record to 22 fights

  • Britain's Daniel Dubois stops American Jarrell Miller in final round of heavyweight contest

  • Dubois weathers some big punches to produce last-gasp stoppage for 20th professional win

  • Get involved #bbcboxing, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

  1. Postpublished at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 3 - Bivol v Arthur

    Bivol continues to control matters at the start of round three as a jab and hook combination finds the target.

    His speed is quite something now and Arthur can only try to defend a volley of lightning fast punches from Bivol.

    Arthur manages to get out of trouble and backs off to try and slow things down. He manages to land a couple of shots to Bivol's body before the bell, but they practically bounced off him.

  2. Postpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    The gulf in class is so clear. Speaking to some of Bivol's team this week, he's desperate to put on a show with a knockout. The last time he stopped an opponent was in March 2018.

    The Saudis are keen to put on the all-Russian light-heavyweight unification fight between Bivol and Artur Beterbiev - a fight boxing fans are clamouring for.

  3. Postpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Stacey Copeland
    Former Commonwealth champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    As Bivol comes forward, he's just got bad intentions. He's so great to watch because it's such a unique approach.

    Dimtry BivolImage source, Matchroom
  4. Postpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 2 - Bivol v Arthur

    A few chants of "Bivol" as the second round gets under way.

    He misses with a couple of shots that would have hurt if they found their target but it isn't long before they do, a couple of jabs to the face getting the crowd going.

    Bivol continues to set the pace of the fight, before going up through the gears as he unloads a flurry on Arthur.

    Strong round for the defending champion.

  5. Postpublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Barry Jones
    Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    When Arthur throws the jab, he drops his right hand. The fact Bivol has found his range so early is a worry for Arthur.

  6. Postpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 1 - Bivol v Arthur

    Bivol starts aggressively, forcing Arthur into the corner as he looks for an opportunity to work the jab.

    Arthur's jab also isn't bad - really good pace to it - and a couple find their target as he sounds a warning to Bivol.

    The defending champion goes in with a couple of body shots in the latter stages of the round but a decent opening from Arthur.

    Lyndon ArthurImage source, Matchroom
  7. Postpublished at 20:32 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    Lyndon Arthur has former flyweight world champion Sunny Edwards as part of his corner team.

    Light-welterweight world champion Devin Haney is watching on from ringside. Former heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr and Briton Chris Eubank Jr are also here. Oh and Derek Chisora - with a Union Jack bandana covering his face - is knocking about somewhere.

  8. Postpublished at 20:32 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 1 - Bivol v Arthur

    Off we go with the first of 12 rounds.

  9. Postpublished at 20:32 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Barely a flicker of emotion from Lyndon Athur as he receives some cheers from the crowd as he is introduced.

    Dmitry Bivol, meanwhile, is bouncing around as his record is read out and then holds up a glove of appreciation as the crowd give him a good reception.

  10. Postpublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Barry Jones
    Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    Lyndon can't win this fight if he can't win the battle of the jabs. Bivol has one of the best jabs.

    My worry for Lyndon Arthur is that he sometimes coasts. He has to be proactive in this fight.

    BivolImage source, Matchroom
  11. 'I will take him seriously'published at 20:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Bivol is working towards a fight with Russian Artur Beterbiev, who holds the WBC, IBF and WBO belts, and he knows he cannot take Arthur for granted.

    This is Arthur's first world title shot but has lost just once in 24 fights so far in his professional career and will be determined to make the most of this opportunity.

    “I don’t know about him too much, but I know he’s champion of the world, IBO, and he’s disciplined," said Bivol.

    “He’s got good boxing skills, and he’s tall. Of course, I will take him seriously.

    “Every time I’m going to fight, I look at my opponent like he’s the most dangerous fighter in the world.”

  12. 'Nothing phases Arthur'published at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Barry Jones
    Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    This sums up Lyndon Arthur, this is what he's like. Nothing phases him. It shows that the occasion hasn't got to him so far.

  13. Postpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    The atmosphere is still not quite there yet as the two fighters come out for their ringwalks, the walkout music heard loudly over almost any noise from the crowd.

    Both look calm and focused however. The odds are against Lyndon Arthur but what a win it would be if he can pull it off.

  14. A mountain to climb for Arthurpublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    Dmitry Bivol and Lyndon Arthur head-to-headImage source, BBC Sport

    A huge task awaits Manchester's Lyndon Arthur as he takes on light-heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol next.

  15. Postpublished at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has just asked Cristiano Ronaldo for a photo. Proper fanboying.

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Eddie HearnImage source, Matchroom
  16. Tough test for Manchester's Arthurpublished at 20:23 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Bivol v Arthur

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Coming up shortly we have WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol defending his title against Manchester's Lyndon Arthur.

    This is arguably the toughest test of Arthur's career to date as Bivol aims to defend his belt for the 11th time.

    This is Bivol's first appearance in the ring since beating Gilberto Ramirez in November 2022.

  17. Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    We're seeing Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker getting their hands wrapped, but that's not the next one - there's another fight to come before that one.

  18. Opetaia delivers stunning one-punch KOpublished at 20:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    Jai Opetaia is an absolute beast.

    The Australian beat Briton Ellis Zorro with a highlight-reel one-punch knockout in the first round.

    The power-punching Opetaia, who vacated his IBF cruiserweight world title in order to fight on the lucrative Saudi card, connected with a huge left hook.

    There were gasps all around the arena. No count was necessary. Bromley’s Zorro needed medical attention and oxygen while sat on the canvas, before rising to his feet five minutes later.

    Jai Opetaia punches Ellis ZorroImage source, Matchroom
  19. 'That will do tremendous things for his confidence'published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Dubois beats Miller with 10th round stoppage

    Three-time world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, speaking to TNT Sports: "Dubois really came alive in the late rounds. As he gained his second breath throughout the fight he did very well and looked like a good boxer.

    "It will do tremendous things for his confidence. That is what gives you confidence, going into a fight and doing well.

    "He used his jab very well. He learnt about himself that he can be in there with the big guys. All he has to do is work."

  20. 'Big, big night'published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Steve Bunce
    Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live podcast

    Eight fights, three former world heavyweight champions, one of the finest fighters in the world, one of the most promising fighters in the world, half a dozen men who simply cannot lose - all under one roof in Saudi Arabia, a big, big night.

    Listen to more on the 5 Live Boxing preview podcast