December 23 monster Saudi card

walshb

I think this card deserves its own thread. Maybe some debate/discussion.

December 23: Riyadh (DAZN PPV)

• Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin; Heavyweights
• Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker; Heavyweights
• Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori; Heavyweights
• Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur; For Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title
• Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro; Cruiserweight
• Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller; Heavyweights
• Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel; Heavyweights
• Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa; Heavyweights

Robert Nairac

Joshua decision

Wilder KO

Hrgovic lacklustre fight and KO

Bivol decision

Opetaia KO

Dubois decision

Makhmudov vs. Kabayel. Kabayel hasn't had a meaningful fight since he beat Chisora years ago. Strange career. Kabayel around that time I think would beat Makhmudov.

Sanchez wide decision

walshb

Millar 333 and Dubois 239

Parker 245 and Wilder 213

Wallin 239 and AJ 251

OmegaGene

for those that don't have dazn the other legal option is TNT Sports Box Office via Sky for €29.99 or €34.99

squinn2912

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526723#Comment_121526723

Some good predictions there. If Arthur can see the final bell that’ll be a good effort. I think Bivol stops him and maybe early.

GHendrix

I think Joshua could be in trouble tonight.

He still looked afraid to be hit to me against Franklin. Helenius stepped in after fighting the week before. He looked a bit better there.

But just listening to the interviews, he still sounds so mentally fragile.

walshb

Regarding Parker. I hope he actually tries to win as opposed to trying not to get knocked out, ala his fight v AJ

Mantis Toboggan

Any idea of times for these?

normanoffside

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121528822#Comment_121528822

Fights start at 4:15pm

https://twitter.com/BoxingKingdom14/status/1738472140217954521

GHendrix

I’m guessing the main event will be a bit earlier than 11:45… I imagine some fights will finish earlier and move things forward.

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121528883#Comment_121528883

Yes. Saudi are 3 hours ahead us I think. I reckon 10:45-11 Irish time for AJ

normanoffside

This card is a real Christmas treat. For once I have no issue shelling out for it.

walshb

I’m kinda leaning more with Dubois now seeing Millar come in at almost 24 stones..

GHendrix

Dubois, Parker and AJ are 3 fighters that I think don’t have much fight in them when the going gets tough. Well, post Ruiz AJ.

I think Wilder beats Parker easily unless age and inactivity really catches up on him but I don’t see that.

Hard to call Dubois and Miller because Miller was gone so long. Think Miller wins it though.

I think AJ will get the win but look far from convincing.

OmegaGene

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121528883#Comment_121528883

the saudi group are looking at this as an event as well as a boxing card, look at all the dancing and singing for the fury fight and i am expecting the same for this but it would be wise to keep an eye on it just in case i guess

OmegaGene

it will be interesting to see what wilder has got left after the fury trilogy and so long away from boxing apart from dipping his toe in against helenius for a quick minute

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121529482#Comment_121529482

I think he’ll still have same punch mechanics and delivery and gameplan. Where it could be interesting is if it’s similar to Ortiz 2, where he was into later rds before winning (while behind).

Where is his stamina/sharpness/timing and punch resistance at, is the question?

walshb

Junior Fa v Sanchez in now

walshb

Dull enough this

walshb

Cracking right hand

Manc-Red_

Hrgovic in probably the mismatch of the night there with a right that sent in the towel.

Robert Nairac

I think I would have given it a better go than De Mori 🙃

Morrison J

Embarrassing putting Hrgovic in with De Mori at this stage of his career. Awful.

walshb

oops

Panthro

Bang. He done.

walshb

Flying through the card

Robert Nairac

I would like to see Opetaia fight at heavyweight. No point fighting these kinds of opponents at cruiserweight.

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121530260#Comment_121530260

He’s not particularly big. His frame seems not right for HW.

Robert Nairac

Makhmudov gonna get outboxed here

Robert Nairac

Kabayel battered Makhmudov in round 3.

Panthro

He fairly picked the big man apart.