Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker LIVE RESULT: New Zealander scores impressive points win as American BLOWS £100m AJ fight
DEONTAY WILDER suffered a shock defeat to Joseph Parker with the New Zealander scoring an impressive points win in Saudi.
The loss is likely to be extremely costly for Wilder, who was set to fight Anthony Joshua in a nine-figure fight at some point in 2024 - that fight is now in deep jeopardy with the expectation that it will NOT go ahead.
Parker was a rank outsider with the bookies but dominated the fight from the first bell, with Wilder uncharacteristically hesitant throughout.
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Long road back now for Wilder
The road to redemption looks bleak now for Deontay Wilder.
Fights available to him after this will need him to work his way back to being able to have a shot against Anthony Joshua and could even mean fighting Joseph Parker first.
It all seemed planned out for the Bronze Bomber but he could not get over this hurdle and maybe felt it was a 'done deal' before stepping into the ring.
No doubt we will hear from him soon on who his next fight will be.
One thing is for sure, Joseph Parker defused the 'bomb squad' tonight.
Tyson Fury gets shoutout in victory
Joseph Parker thanked his 'good friend' Tyson Fury after winning his fight with Deontay Wilder tonight.
He said how he went to Ireland to train then over to England.
Parker sparred with Fury and he gave him tips on what to expect and how to deal with the threat.
Whatever the pair worked on, it paid dividends in Saudi Arabia.
Parker reignites his career focus
This is a career-changing win for Joseph Parker.
The whole division opens up for him now.
Logically, he fights AJ after this win, providing he wins his fight.
If that doesn't happen, there is no reason why he couldn't set his sights on Oleksandr Usyk.
Kiwi makes huge statement for island
Joseph Parker will have had fans back home celebrating into the afternoon.
Given the time difference, he will have good support back in New Zealand.
As soon as he won the fight, he sent a message to all his friends and family in his native tongue.
He will go back home to a hero's welcome.
Bronze Bomber gets it all wrong
This fight was all about setting up a showdown with Anthony Joshua.
It seems the 'Bronze Bomber' got it all wrong and did not address the elephant in the room first of all, Joseph Parker.
We have never seen such a conservative approach to a fight from Wilder and it cost him dearly.
His tactics worked into Parker's plans and he delivered.
Parker shocks the boxing world
Nobody gave Joseph Parker a chance in this fight but he had his tactics perfect and with the approach of Wilder it all fitted into place.
Deontay Wilder seemed to give his opponent too much respect and only started opening up his hands in the final round, when it was all too late.
It is only the third time Wilder has gone the twelve rounds.
Parker worked hard for this fight and now he is reaping his rewards.
Joseph Parker wins by unanimous decision
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Twelve)
This is the last chance saloon for Deontay Wilder.
Joseph Parker comes forward, looking to take the last round to Wilder.
Wilder is throwing lefts and rights hoping to land something big.
He's surely left this too late, he swings a massive right but just catches air.
Wilder comes forward with that right hand locked and loaded, Parker comes in with the jab to catch him unawares.
Parker soaks it up for the last thirty seconds and has surely sent shockwaves through the division.
Wilder raises his hand as the bell goes and is celebrating, not sure what fight he has been watching.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Eleven)
Parker is two rounds from a huge upset here.
He just needs to manage these last two rounds and expect that big right from Wilder.
Parker is dipping his head to get under it all the time.
He is turning Wilder's advantage in height and reach into a negative.
The corner of Wilder are trying to get their fighter to up the pace.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Ten)
With each round that goes by, more pressure is on Wilder.
He is more than capable of that one shot that could end this.
Wilder catches Parker with a big hook, it's blocked but Parker still felt it.
Parker needs to keep letting his hands go or he allows Wilder to work a position for that big right.
As Wilder comes in with that big right, Parker manages to get underneath it.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Nine)
That last round was the best of the night.
Parker really hurt Wilder and catches him with punches again.
Wilder has no reply and these punches are hurting him.
This is not what anyone was expecting from this fight tonight.
Parker is controlling this fight.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Eight)
The problem Wilder has now is that Parker could lose the rest of the rounds left and still win this fight.
All he needs to look out for is being hit with that big Wilder right.
In reality, that is all Wilder has now to win this fight.
The danger is the rounds are running out for Deontay Wilder.
When he does come through and land, Parker counters and hits him with a big shot too.
Towards the end of the round, Parker lands punch after punch and has Wilder in the corner, his legs are gone.
The bell saves him on this occasion.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Seven)
Due to his size, when Parker comes inside he gets Wilder all wrapped up on the ropes.
Wilder needs space to get those long arms mobile.
It 's a good tactic by Parker is certainly working so far.
Wilder comes in and goes with the big right but it goes straight over the top of Parker.
That was more like the Deontay Wilder we are used to.
Parker then lands a big right and Wilder stumbles back a little bit.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Six)
The message from Parker's corner must be to keep doing what you are.
Wilder is banking on getting something special to win this.
Parker meanwhile, is landing some good combos.
The fans ringside are loving it when Parker opens up and comes inside to force Wilder back onto the ropes.
He is trying throw an overhand right and it is getting closer to connecting with Wilder.
The more he hits Wilder, he goes a bit reckless on the counter.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Five)
The pundits have this four rounds to none for Parker.
He comes forward again and lands punches as Wilder is forced on the backfoot.
This waiting game of Wilder's is not working and just allowing Parker to dictate this fight.
Parker continues to land the shots, all scoring on the card.
Wilder is only looking for a knockout here and is definitely not concerning himself with all these rounds he is losing.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Four)
Finally this fight opens up.
Parker comes inside and lands a combo and Wilder reacts in kind throwing some big punches.
It looks like he felt Parker's hits and it made him think he needs to up his game or he could get hurt here.
Joseph Parker is growing in confidence seeing his punches get through.
He comes forward once again, pinning Wilder back onto the ropes.
Parker definitely took that round.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Three)
Parker seems set to come inside and if he does not connect he is looking smother Wilder so he cannot get big hits off.
Wilder starts coming forward with jab.
Parker goes for the big shot over the top but does not connect.
Deontay Wilder starts to open up a bit more towards the end of the round.
Joseph Parker lands a good right just before the bell.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round Two)
Parker comes in with a jab to the body.
Wilder is staying back, biding his time, trying to work Parker out.
It seems weird not seeing the high tempo, let's get this done approach from Wilder.
As Parker comes in close, Wilder looks to get some hits in, both to the body.
That is the danger of Parker looking to come inside, but something he has to do as Wilder has the longer reach of the two boxers by some distance.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Round One)
Parker looks to hold the middle of the ring.
He is more than aware of the danger of Wilder's big hits.
It is all pretty cagey in the opening round, Parker comes in going for the hit over the top but Wilder dodges it.
This is very much two boxers feeling each other out here.
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
This is the one many have been waiting for.
Parker will have to deal with raw power of the 'bomb squad'.
Friend of Tyson Fury, Parker will have had some advice from him.
Glitz and glamour lies ahead
We are heading towards to the big ticket fights now.
Two fights left now, Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin and Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker.
We have some good boxing so far this evening but these co-main events are the money-makers we have been waiting for.
Bivol wants to unify division in 2024
With Saudi Arabia looking to get all the big fight, Dmitry Bivol says that now he has two belts, he wants the third.
He now holds both the IBO and WBA Super World Light Heavyweight titles.
Eddie Hearn said it is the next natural fight for Bivol and he will be looking to make that happen.
You could see how much it meant to Bivol to have that second belt draped over him.
Dmitry Bivol wins by unanimous decision
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Twelve)
Dmitry Bivol starts the round in positive fashion.
Landing a flurry of shots with no reply from Arthur.
The referee is in there keeping a close eye.
That was some great boxing by Bivol unloading his hands finally.
It is all over, Arthur has made it to the end of the fight.
A very one-sided performance but the Brit has gone up against one of the best pound for pound boxers in the game here.
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (Round Eleven)
Bivol keeps up with his technical boxing, controlling this bout.
He knows if he opens up too freely, Arthur could counter and land something.
Dmitry Bivol just seems to be going through the motions, knowing he controlling this fight.
He finally sends Arthur to the canvas with a big body shot.