Joseph Parker stuns Deontay Wilder to wreck plans for Anthony Joshua fight

Joseph Parker may have wrecked plans for Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder with a stunning victory over the American in Saudi Arabia. 

Parker, 31, turned in the performance of his career to beat “The Bronze Bomber” over 12 rounds on “The Day of Reckoning” card in Riyadh, a major upset that will have major ramifications at the top of the heavyweight division.

The former WBO champion secured a unanimous decision victory over Wilder, with ringside judges awarding the fight 118-111, 118-110 and 120-108 all in his favour.

Tonight’s card in was meant to clear the path for Joshua vs Wilder, a fight that has been over six years in the making with Saudi’s involvement finally getting a deal across the line.

Joshua will headline the card against Otto Wallin tonight but a shock defeat for Wilder will surely now derail plans for that showdown to take place in March.

Victory for Parker will lift the former WBO champion right back into the world title picture with the biggest win of his career, becoming only the second man after Tyson Fury to beat Wilder.

In a tepid start to the fight, Parker looked much sharper than his opponent, demonstrating his own power in the fourth round after buckling Wilder’s legs with a huge right hand.

Wilder’s timing appeared off, with Parker continuing to look the more dangerous in their exchanges with the former WBC champion failing to put a dent in the New Zealander by the halfway point of the fight.

With Andy Lee urging his man to continue pushing Wilder back, Parker continued to have joy with his big overhand rights.

Also Read:

• Why Emefiele remains worst CBN gov in history — Moghalu
• Gov. Sani inaugurates vocational centre to train 800 youths
• Medical Laboratory Council plans to double admission quota in 48 Universities 
• Yuletide: FRSC boss felicitates with Christians, speaks on safety on highways
• Breaking: How policeman attached to Chinese shot popular Nollywood actor in Ogun

Wilder woke up in the eighth round but was rocked again moments later after a furious flurry, just about hanging on.

Wilder’s legs looked unsteady in the ninth as Parker stayed disciplined, keeping him at bay in the 10th and 11th rounds.

Wilder stepped up the pace in the final stanza but it was too little too late, with Parker keeping his cool after what was an extraordinary performance.