In the glitzy world of heavyweight boxing, where the drama unfolds in and out of the ring, the once prominent figures of Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua have been relegated to the sidelines. No longer the stars of the show, they find themselves fighting for relevance in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Wilder, the former WBC champion, was dethroned by Tyson Fury in a captivating battle back in February 2020. Since then, the 38-year-old American has fought only twice, leaving fans wondering what kind of shape he'll be in as he takes on Joseph Parker, the former WBO champion.
Meanwhile, Joshua, the former holder of the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles, has had his fair share of struggles. With underwhelming victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, he's facing off against Otto Wallin, a Swedish journeyman based in New York. Joshua's career has hit a crossroads, having suffered back-to-back defeats to the skilled Oleksandr Usyk.
The question that lingers is whether Wilder and Joshua still possess the belief to become heavyweight champions again. Their futures may intertwine, as they are likely to face each other next if they both emerge victorious in Jeddah. This potential match-up is being touted as 'the biggest fight in the world' by Wilder. However, it seems the glory days for these fighters have long past.
Wilder's recent record is less than inspiring, with his only notable opponent being Helenius since his trilogy against Fury in October 2021. As for Joshua, once hailed as a dominant force, he now appears vulnerable and fragile after three defeats within a five-fight span from 2019 to 2022. With his aura shattered, doubts surround Joshua's confidence and momentum.
Even Wallin, Joshua's upcoming opponent, shares the sentiment. He believes the British fighter has lost his way, stating that Joshua looks unsure of himself. In a bid to rebuild, Joshua has undergone changes in his training, even working with Ben Davison, who was previously in Fury's corner. Once a media darling, Joshua has adopted a more serious and focused approach during his time in Saudi Arabia.
In this intriguing backdrop, Wallin, a southpaw like Usyk, is not renowned for his knockout power. While he has won his last five fights on points, none of his recent opponents have been top-ranked heavyweights. As for Parker, the New Zealander's loss to Joe Joyce marked his third career defeat. However, he has managed to stay active with three consecutive wins against lesser-known contenders.
Amidst the buzz, it is Wilder who garners the most curiosity this week. Stepping outside the United States for the first time since 2014, the 'Bronze Bomber' finds himself in Saudi Arabia, the emerging hub of heavyweight boxing due to the extravagant purses offered by the kingdom. As for Joshua, this marks his third time fighting in Saudi Arabia, and if both him and Wilder emerge victorious, there might just be a fourth occasion that sets the stage for their much-anticipated clash in the spring of 2024.
In the end, while Wilder and Joshua may have lost the limelight to Fury and Usyk, they still possess the potential to provide fireworks in the heavyweight division. Only time will tell if they manage to reclaim their former glory or if their roles as mere extras in boxing's soap opera become more permanent. As fans eagerly await the 'Day of Reckoning' in Saudi Arabia, the heavyweight landscape continues to shift, leaving us all wondering what lies ahead for these two fallen stars.
