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'Day Of Reckoning' Announced For Dec. 23 As Riyadh Season
Welcomes Anthony Joshua, Dmitry Bivol & Jai Opetaia For
Historic Night Of Boxing
Anthony Joshua will headline a historic night of boxing in
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as he faces a ‘Day of Reckoning’
on Saturday, December 23 - along with world champions Dmitry
Bivol and Jai Opetaia.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General
Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced today that Riyadh
Season 2023 will play host to the ‘Day of Reckoning’,
featuring some of the most famous boxing world champions and
leading contenders from the top weight divisions at Kingdom
Arena.
An unprecedented line-up on a single night of boxing, the
‘Day of Reckoning’ will see two-time unified World
Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua go up against Otto
Wallin as the pair close in on challenging for World Title
honours, while former WBO World Champion Joseph Parker takes
on the ‘Bronze Bomber’ and former WBC World Title holder,
Deontay Wilder, with IBF No.1 contender Filip Hrgovic
fighting Mark De Mori in another Heavyweight shootout.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General
Entertainment Authority (GEA), said: “The ‘Day of Reckoning’
fights constitute the highly anticipated event offered by
Riyadh Season for boxing fans this year. It brings together
a number of world boxing champions in groundbreaking bouts."
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “We are delighted
to be returning to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Riyadh
Season and for what will ultimately be a historic event for
our sport. I would like to thank His Excellency Turki
Alalshikh for providing us with this fantastic opportunity.
Anthony Joshua needs no introduction. He has his sights set
firmly on becoming a three-time World Heavyweight Champion
and I believe you will witness yet another memorable
performance from AJ on December 23 when he faces Otto Wallin.
Both Dmitry Bivol and Jai Opateia have chances to showcase
their world class talents on a major stage and we look
forward to exploring big fights in the Kingdom for both
boxers with Queensberry, Goldstar and the NEC in the near
future. Bivol will once more underline why he is one of the
greatest pound-for-pound fighters on the planet when he
collides with Lyndon Arthur and reigning IBF Cruiserweight
king Jai Opetaia will undoubtedly deliver an incredible,
destructive display against Ellis Zorro. I cannot wait. It
will be a special spectacle for fight fans all over the
world and an extravaganza not to be missed."
Two-time World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua said: "I
said at the start of this year that my plan was to begin my
journey of activity. Three fights in 12 months two victories
and one pending. I am grateful to his Excellency Turki
Alalshikh for the opportunity to fulfil my plan. I am fully
focussed on December 23 and finishing the year in good
fashion. It will be an incredible night of world class
boxing.”
WBA World Light-Heavyweight Dmitry Bivol said: “I have just
recently come back from a great event in Saudi Arabia and
now I will have the opportunity to fight there. I am excited
and looking forward to fighting Lyndon, his record and his
belt are a motivation for me.”
IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Champion Jai
Opetaia said: “There’s a big part of me that’s so grateful
to be part of this card but I’ve earned my spot here and on
December 23 I will show why I’m the best Cruiserweight in
the world and the king of the division. Now I’ve got to
train hard and it doesn’t matter who is put in front of me,
I have to beat them. I have a new mission, so let’s get it
done. I’m ready. This is what I do.”
The ‘Day of Reckoning’ comes after the ‘Battle of the
Baddest’, which was held on October 28 during the opening of
Riyadh Season 2023, in which Tyson Fury defeated Francis
Ngannou.
The fourth edition of Riyadh Season, themed "Big Time,"
offers many entertainment options and experiences. It
continues to attract visitors from across the globe to
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, during the winter
months, providing them with the opportunity to partake in
thousands of concerts, exhibitions, and other distinctive
entertainment events. Notable celebrities and prominent
international brands contribute to the grandeur of this
occasion.
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