By Hamzah Amir Ahmed

What was billed as the “Day of Reckoning”, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, could very well be the Day of Surprise for most fans as not many expected the co-main event to play out the way it did.

With big names like Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Dmitry Bivol across the main card, this was a must-watch. A blend of high-octane intensity, wonderful displays of the sweet science and more drama than you would find in a theatre, it was a real treat for boxing fans.

While many were mainly there to see Joshua and Wilder, the first four bouts provided a real spectacle. Four TKOs came from the undercard, and it nicely set up the main card to follow.

After his stoppage loss to world champion Oleksandr Usyk, Britain’s Daniel Dubois revitalised his career with a win over Jarrell Miller. In the final seconds of their fight, Dubois managed to land the decisive punch to stop Miller and come out on top. It was a hard-fought victory from Dubois who now looks to continue his path and aim to become world champion.

Daniel Dubois celebrates his victory (Image: Getty Images)

Next up was the return of the WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. The Russian superstar returned to the ring for the first time in over a year to take on Lyndon Arthur. Despite being out of action, Bivol didn’t miss a beat. He completely dominated Arthur over 12 rounds and won by unanimous decision.

From the opening bell, Bivol was on the front foot. He had Arthur backing up and on the defensive for most of the fight. Heavy combinations and the use of the jab, Bivol scored a knockdown in the 11th round. Bivol did go for the finish, but Arthur managed to weather the storm and get to the end of the fight. In the end, all three judges scored the fight 120-107. With Bivol holding the WBA belt and the other three in the hands of Artur Beterbiev, fans are calling for the pair to have, what would be, a blockbuster unification fight.

Bivol after his dominant victory (Image: Getty Images)

All eyes were now on Wilder. His opponent was former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker. This looked like more of a formality than a fight for Wilder as everyone just wants to see Wilder fight Joshua. But Parker was looking to shock the world and pull off a massive upset.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Parker, a plus-450 underdog, produced what was a boxing masterclass. Wilder was schooled by Parker, who put up perhaps his greatest performance. Parker’s game plan was executed brilliantly as he managed to completely neutralise Wilder and take advantage of his weaknesses.

In the eighth round, Parker landed a flurry of big punches which rocked Wilder, and it looked like he was completely done for but was able to survive and make it to the bell. While he made it out of the round, “The Bronze Bomber” was unable to detonate his right hand on Parker and couldn’t land anything threatening for the rest of the fight.

As the bell rang for the final time, the only way Parker was going to lose this fight was through corruption. But the three judges at ringside scored the bout 118-111,118-110 and 120-108. It was a complete shutout.

Joseph Parker after his upset victory over Deonty Wilder (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking on the famous fight between boxing legends Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard, “The Fight Doctor”, Ferdie Pacheco, said: “They only made one mistake, they signed this fight.”

Wilder will have felt this as Parker sensationally ripped up the script. With the fight against AJ already booked for early next year, these unexpected and stunning developments make it look dead in the water now.

Deonty Wilder suffers second career loss (Image: Getty Images)

Despite the upset, the fans were still as loud as ever as it was finally time to watch the former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua. Who, in recent years, has become accustomed to Saudi Arabia, and very much had the crowd on his side. But his opponent was the tricky and skilful southpaw Otto Wallin. He is no slouch and even gave Tyson Fury a scare in the latter’s comeback fight in 2019.

However, AJ was in no mood to mess about as he bulldozed through Wallin and forced Wallin’s corner to pull him out of the contest after the fifth round. It was a crushing performance from AJ. The five rounds were brutal and punishing and Wallin had no answer and no way to stop the freight train that was Joshua.

Anthony Joshua in action against Otto Wallin (Image: Getty Images)

Joshua boxed with great technical skill but also the killer instinct that many fans have felt that he has lacked in his recent victories. Building off the back of wins against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, and now Wallin. AJ is well on his way back to getting into championship contention.

Joshua celebrating TKO victory over Wallin (Image: Getty Images)

Next year might have a very different outlook for AJ as promoter Eddie Hearn has teased a potential fight with top heavyweight Filip Hrgovic. AJ v Wilder may no longer be on the cards, but 2024 still looks very promising for boxing fans.