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. Mismatch of the year?published at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    If you want to see a mismatch in boxing, look no further than heavyweight Filip Hrgovic taking on Mark De Mori, who fought earlier tonight.

    De Mori - who once lost in the first round to David Haye - learned to box from YouTube. In his previous fight, he fought a 5ft 6in guy who once operated at super-featherweight.

    Hrgovic meanwhile is the world's IBF number one ranked heavyweight.

    As you have probably guessed, it took Hrgovic just one round to dispatch of De Mori.

    Filip Hrgovic punches Mark De MoriImage source, Matchroom
  2. 'No expense spared'published at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Darren Fletcher
    BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Presenter

    I can't believe what I've seen since I've been here for this event - the size of it, the glitz and glamour of it. As an event, this is no expense spared, it is colourful and fantastic to be around. The pre-fight press conference was huge.

  3. A fight night seven weeks in the makingpublished at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Steve Bunce
    Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

    Seven weeks ago this event wasn't happening. Seven weeks ago none of these 16 fighters knew about it, seven weeks ago none of the managers, trainers or media knew anything about this.

    There was a date in the book. It looked like it had collapsed because Tyson Fury could not fight, that was seven weeks ago! I have food in my fridge that lasts longer than that!

    Listen to more on the 5 Live Boxing preview podcast

  4. A lowkey build-uppublished at 20:07 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh

    There has been a serious lack of buzz here in Riyadh. You can only imagine what a build-up for a card of this magnitude would be like back in the UK or Las Vegas.

    Granted, this card was put on in just five or so weeks. But with no fans at any of the fight week events, it has all been a little lowkey.

    I've been told there will be somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000 fans by the time Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker head to the ring later. There are two stands on opposite side of the ring and some floored seating - I'd say it will definitely be towards the lower end of that estimation.

    .Image source, Getty Images
  5. Sportswashing claims 'very shallow' - Saudi ministerpublished at 20:06 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Promoter Frank Warren says it will be a "magical" night for boxing, but the cloud of sportswashing continues to loom over Saudi Arabia's involvement in the sport.

    The kingdom has become boxing's financial powerhouse, with the ability to put on history-making fights. Human rights campaigners, however, say sport is being used by the Saudi government to detract from long-standing reputation issues.

    Despite this, it has not deterred boxing's biggest fighters and promoters from partnering with the Saudis.

    The Saudi Arabia sports minister says claims of 'sportswashing' against the country are "very shallow", as he defended its right to host the men's football World Cup in 2034.

    Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan in Jeddah, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said: "A lot of the people that accuse us of that haven't been to Saudi, or seen what we are doing."

    Media caption,

    Saudi sports minister insists all are welcome

  6. 'I showed my heart'published at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Dubois beats Miller with 10th round stoppage

    .Image source, Matchroom

    Daniel Dubois, speaking to DAZN: "It really mattered tonight. I had to dig deep. I came through it and I showed my heart."

    On fighting on the back foot: "I always want to come forward and I'm learning new things every day. I'm glad I came through this. All glory to God."

    On silencing doubters: "I had my dad screaming in my corner and I knew I had to go out there and work. I had to prove it to myself that I was a real fighter and I could be a champion. I silenced the doubts tonight."

    On last round: "I had to finish strong. I always look for the knockout. Big respect to Big Baby, he gave me a good fight."

    What is next: "I want to fight all the best fighters. The confidence that was missing before, I gained it tonight. Thanks to my team for always supporting me."

  7. In the nick of timepublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Dubois beats Miller with 10th round stoppage

    Two minutes 52 seconds of the 10th is the official time of Daniel Dubois' victory.

    Miller only had to last for another eight seconds to have taken this one to the judges' cards, although the American would've lost anyway.

    .Image source, Matchroom
  8. Postpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Dubois beats Miller by stoppage

    Barry Jones
    Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    Dubois boxed so well! He listened to the corner every round. He knew he could get Miller out of there.

  9. Dubois wins in the 10thpublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023
    Breaking

    .Image source, Matchroom

    Daniel Dubois gets the victory in the 10th and last round. Some great work from the Briton, he lands with hooks and uppercuts, Miller stuck the tongue out in an attempt to show he wasn't hurt.

    No-one was fooled by that and Dubois jumped on him. A gorgeous short right from Dubois and a left hook, then a right hook and Miller slumped into the ropes. A great shot gets Miller wobbling, he then sends in a panicked 'get me out of there' look at the referee.

    Seven more gorgeous, unanswered hooks from Dubois follow and the referee jumps in to stop it.

    That's a superb victory for the Briton.

  10. Postpublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Miller stumbles...

  11. Postpublished at 19:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 10 - Dubois v Miller

    Great work from Dubois, uppercut, lands, left hook, lands, one to the body, lands. Dubois looks to finish him.

  12. Postpublished at 19:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 10 - Dubois v Miller

    A great left hook, right uppercut from Dubois. Into the last minute.

  13. Postpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 10 - Dubois v Miller

    Miller swings with a huge right, but Dubois sees it coming and has enough about him to get out of the way.

    Ninety seconds to go.

  14. Postpublished at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Miller has to attack and attack and attack as he's losing on points.

  15. Postpublished at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 10, the last one.

  16. Postpublished at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 9 - Dubois v Miller

    We haven't seen much from Miller since he enjoyed great success in the fourth and fifth rounds. But Dubois will know he can't relax for a second against this man.

    Miller looks to catch Dubois low, but Dubois instantly fires a straight right into the Miller face.

  17. Postpublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 9 - Dubois v Miller

    Round nine, one to go after this one. Dubois comes out firing and landing to the head. Great work from the Briton.

    .Image source, Matchroom
  18. Postpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Dubois v Miller

    Barry Jones
    Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

    Miller is trying to walk Dubois to empty his tank, but what he's forgot is taking heavy punches tires you out!

    This is the best I've ever seen from Dubois.

  19. Postpublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 8 - Dubois v Miller

    Miller has thrown 186 punches, Dubois 185 halfway through the eighth, although the Englishman has the better landing ratio. It's a tough one to call.

    Dubois definitely doesn't need a point taken off and gets a long lecture from the referee, after another Dubois punch lands too far south.

  20. Postpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2023

    Round 8 - Dubois v Miller

    A couple of long rights at the start of the eighth from Dubois and is he finally making a breakthrough to chop down the giant opposing him?