Historically, Christmas weekend is not a popular stretch for big combat sports events. That is not the case in 2023 as one of the final major events of the year goes down on Dec. 23 in Saudi Arabia with a heavyweight-focused card.
The card includes a double main event featuring former heavyweight champions. Two-time former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will take on Otto Wallin, the man who nearly upset Tyson Fury in 2019. Former WBC champ Deontay Wilder will also be in action when he takes on former WBO champ Joseph Parker.
In theory, wins by both Joshua and Wilder will set up a long-awaited clash between the two in 2024.
"This is just purely about doing the right thing and being 100 percent perfect every second that I am in that ring," Joshua told CBS Sports. "That way I will be victorious and victory will come by knockout if I carry out my plan A, B and C; it will lead me to the KO.
"Otto Wallin is a southpaw so he's very tricky. We have to be very clever. He has a character that is very resilient, as we saw against Tyson Fury. He can box off the back foot and come forward so it's going to be a good challenge for us because he's a complete fighter."
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The undercard is loaded up with other top heavyweights looking to make a splash and stay in title contention as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk prepare to crown an undisputed champion in early 2024. A win on Saturday for any of these men could put them in line for a shot at one of the four recognized titles at some time next year.
Below is the complete fight card for Day of Reckoning. Check back all week long for the latest news, features and other content around this massive event.
Day of Reckoning fight card, odds
| Fighter | Fighter | Weight class |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Joshua -455 | Otto Wallin +345 | Heavyweight |
| Deontay Wilder -650 | Joseph Parker +460 | Heavyweight |
| Dmitry Bivol (c) -2800 | Lyndon Arthur +1250 | WBA light heavyweight title |
| Daniel Dubois -220 | Jarrell Miller +180 | Heavyweight |
| Jai Opetaia -2400 | Ellis Zorro +1150 | Cruiserweight |
| Arslanbek Makhmudov -1000 | Agit Kabayel +650 | Heavyweight |
| Frank Sanchez -2000 | Junior Fa +1050 | Heavyweight |
| Filip Hrgovic | Mark De Morio | Heavyweight |
Day of Reckoning viewing info
- Date: Dec. 23
- Location: Kingdom Arena -- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Start time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- How to watch: DAZN PPV (subscribe now) | Price: $39.99
Day of Reckoning countdown
- Campbell: Overall fight preview and predictions for the main event
- Brookhouse: Undercard fights to watch on Saturday
