Wilder Says His Fight Should Be Main Event Over AJ, Highlighting His Knockout Power
Deontay Wilder has expressed his desire to be the headline event on the Saudi Arabia card on December 23rd, 2023.
The Bronze Bomber will face the former WBO heavyweight champion of the world in the form of Joseph Parker. The two fighters join an action-packed card that includes Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, as well as Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur. As of now, Joshua will headline the event, something which has not gone down well with Wilder. The American highlighted how he would bring knockouts to the show, which would be more appealing in light of the fact that Saudi is looking to become the home of boxing. And with Wilder having 42 knockouts in 46 fights, the Bronze Bomber was not satisfied with the current set-up.
Wilder’s Comments
“That’s why I think me and Parker should be the main event. We’re also two former champions. Why wouldn’t you have two former champions as the main event?” I requested a flip of the coin. Maybe at the presser. I think that would be good promotion. … I think that would spice it up a little bit. This is not a Joshua show, this is not my show, this is all of our show. The thing about it is that I want the best for all of them. I want things to happen where the excitement is going to be,” Wilder said
Those comments are understandable when we look at the following factors. In his last six fights, Joshua has only knocked out two opponents. That included Robert Helenius and Kubrat Pulev. When it came to their common opponent in the form of Helenius, Wilder stopped the boxer in the first round. However, when it came to Joshua, the Brit struggled to deal with his opponent before stopping him in the seventh round.
At the same time, there is a perception that Joshua no longer goes for the knockout since he was stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. as the boxer favors sticking behind his jab. And yet, Wilder had shown that even after the losses to Fury, he was still intent on stopping people, which was demonstrated with the Helenius stoppage.
Wilder On AJ
“We know that between Joshua and Otto Wallin and me and Parker, which one do you think is the most exciting? And I feel the most exciting fight should be the main event. At the end of the day when people come to fights, they want to see knockouts.
“They want to see excitement. Women lie, men lie, but my numbers don’t lie. I have a more chance of knocking my opponent out than Anthony Joshua do and bring the excitement. The last thing that people want to see and go home to: A dramatic knockout and then you leave,” Wilder
In reality, the pressure will be on both fighters to win in style. And provided that they come through their fights, there will be a call on them to finally face each other.
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