Heavyweight Deontay Wilder, one of the most notorious punchers in boxing, has spoken of his respect for New Zealander Joseph Parker and at the same time vowed to knock him out on what is looming as one of the strongest fight cards in history in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
At a press conference in London this morning which confirmed that Parker v Wilder, a fight between two former world champions, will be the co-main event with Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin on a card in Riyadh called “The Day of Reckoning”, the American and Kiwi came face to face.
There were verbal fireworks between American heavyweight Jarrell Miller and Joshua, two men who have history, but none between Parker and Wilder, both of whom were respectful and apparently grateful to be in line for one of the biggest paydays of their careers at an event backed by the oil-rich Saudi government.
Parker did, however, have words with a member of the crowd – thought to be former opponent Derek Chisora, whom he beat twice two years ago, the second time comprehensively.
“We’ve got so many warriors on this card,” Wilder said. “It’s overwhelming to be in the same room with so many other fighters – some you’ve had in camp, some you’ve competed against, and some you’re looking forward to in the future to compete against.
“When people come to see heavyweight boxing they come to see a sight but most of all they come to see knockouts. One thing is for sure, when I come that’s what I come to deliver. Come December 23rd I come to do the same thing, I come with a mission to get my title back and unify the division.
“With Joseph Parker, I think highly of him. He’s an amazing human being as a man and he’s a great fighter as well. It’s going to be a remarkable feeling to finally share the ring with him.”
The 38-year-old dominated the division for a long time before being dethroned by Parker’s good friend Tyson Fury in 2020 and while Wilder’s right hand is a weapon which can stop a fight at any time, there may be question marks about his durability given he has fought only once in the last two years (a bout which lasted one round).
Parker, by contrast, has fought three times this year and as recently as last month in Riyadh when he stopped Canadian Simon Kean in the third round.
“We made a decision at the beginning of the year to keep busy,” Parker said. “This is the fourth fight of the year and it’s a fight that really excites me.
“Throughout my career I’ve never gone away from big fights and big opportunities. This fight with Wilder, I’m ready for it. I know we’re here doing what we need to do but I can’t wait to get back into camp and put in the work for this fight.
“I respect Wilder, I respect [trainer] Malik Scott and everything they’ve done in boxing, but he’s in my way. I know what I can do and I’m here to win.”
Parker confirmed he would lean on Fury, who fought Wilder three times for two wins and a dramatic draw, in preparation.
Asked how he could beat Wilder, whose only setbacks in 46 professional fights have come at the hands of Fury, he replied: “You’re gonna see. I feel like in my career I went down a bit but I’ve got my spark back. I’m going to come in with a lot of movement and speed.”
Parker has fought 36 times as a professional for a 33-3 record – his defeats coming against Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce, all Englishmen.
He may have an advantage in terms of hand speed and pure boxing technique but must remain vigilant against the taller Wilder who possesses freakish power and who has described his gift as both a “blessing and a curse”.
“It’s a blessing because I have the ability to knock a man out with one punch,” Wilder said this morning.
“This is something that’s been with me my whole life, not something I’ve developed. And the curse is that because I’m able to do that, it’s caused a lot of people to shy away from me, to become fearful of might happen when they fight against me. Sometimes that can be harmful to the sport of boxing.”
At this point, Chisora shouted: “What round are you gonna knock him out in?”, Parker replying: “Shut your mouth”.
Wilder continued: “That’s what I come to do. That’s my only mission.”
Asked whether he had anything to say to Joshua, a man with whom he has been on a collision course for years, Wilder said: “It’s good to be in the same room with him, to see him face to face. I wish you nothing but the best, bro. Hopefully soon we can get it on in the ring and give the people what they want. But I wish you nothing but the best.”
“The Day of Reckoning”, Riyadh, December 23
Heavyweight: Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker (NZL) v Deontay Wilder co-main event
Light heavyweight: Dmitry Bivol v Lyndon Arthur
Cruiserweight: Jai Opetaia v Ellis Zorro
Heavyweight: Daniel Dubois v Jarrell Miller
Heavyweight: Arselanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel
Heavyweight: Frank Sanchez v Junior Fa (NZL)
Heavyweight: Filip Hrgovic v Mark Di Mori
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