Anthony Joshua Crushes Wallin as Parker Dominates Wilder
In his third fight of the year, two-time heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (27-3, 24 KO’s) ended the year in sensational fashion. Joshua accomplished this by forcing rival Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KO’s) to quit on his stool at the conclusion of the fifth round.
From the outset of the prizefight, Joshua was bigger, stronger and faster. AJ opened the duel in responsible fashion by finding his range and timing behind his jab. Seeing that Wallin had little competent offense coming back, Joshua began ripping his heavy right hand to the head and body. A whistling jab, straight right combo really shook Wallin up and probably is what signaled the end in the fifth.
Joshua jumped on Wallin but was not able to put him down. It all became academic as Wallin’s corner threw in the towel when he returned to the corner.
JOSEPH PARKER SHUTS OUT DEONTAY WILDER IN SNOOZER
After twelve rounds of relatively dreary action former heavyweight champion Joseph “Lupesoliai La’auliolemalietoa” Parker (34-3, 23 KO’s) picked up his fourth consecutive win since losing to Joe Joyce back in 2022. Parker pulled this off by snagging a unanimous decision over one-time WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KO’s).
Sadly, there were remarkably few satisfying exchanges in this match. From the beginning to the end, Parker was the fighter intent on coming forward and letting his hands go. Even still, he landed at a decent rate but nothing that really accelerated the pulse. Lupesoliai La’auliolemalietoa did nail Wilder with a thumping overhand right that seemingly hurt him in the eighth. He would flurry until the end of the round but nothing of note connected.
For his part, Wilder did virtually nothing outside of skip along the perimeter of the ring, display atrocious footwork and search futilely for a right hand opportunity that he refused to set up. When the cards were read, Wilder lost a predictable unanimous decision to the tune of 118-111, 118-110 and 120-108.
