Only a win will do for the former heavyweight champion, and despite facing a solid challenger in Wallin, he should have enough to get the job done. Four of his last six have gone the distance and Wallin has proven a durable and sturdy operator so it’s a fair bet this will go deep. Wallin is confident, fit and game but has never been the most difficult to hit. Joshua by decision seems the call but a late rounds KO is also very much in play. Getty Images
Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin Joshua by UD
Only a win will do for the former heavyweight champion, and despite facing a solid challenger in Wallin, he should have enough to get the job done. Four of his last six have gone the distance and Wallin has proven a durable and sturdy operator so it’s a fair bet this will go deep. Wallin is confident, fit and game but has never been the most difficult to hit. Joshua by decision seems the call but a late rounds KO is also very much in play. Getty Images
Only a win will do for the former heavyweight champion, and despite facing a solid challenger in Wallin, he should have enough to get the job done. Four of his last six have gone the distance and Wall
This battle between two former heavyweight belt holders should make for a fascinating watch. Wilder has had his issues with shorter fighters over the years, and a fit and active Parker capable of closing the gap and happy to let his hands go is likely to have success. That said, you’d expect Wilder to land that big right hand at some point and usually that’s enough to get the job done. There might be periods of inactivity but when these two throw, they will throw together, and somebody is going down. Parker's trainer Andy Lee says it will be a "shootout" - it's hard to bet against Wilder in a shootout. Getty Images
Deontay Wilder v Joseph Parker Wilder by KO5
This battle between two former heavyweight belt holders should make for a fascinating watch. Wilder has had his issues with shorter fighters over the years, and a fit and active Parker capable of closing the gap and happy to let his hands go is likely to have success. That said, you’d expect Wilder to land that big right hand at some point and usually that’s enough to get the job done. There might be periods of inactivity but when these two throw, they will throw together, and somebody is going down. Parker's trainer Andy Lee says it will be a "shootout" - it's hard to bet against Wilder in a shootout. Getty Images
This battle between two former heavyweight belt holders should make for a fascinating watch. Wilder has had his issues with shorter fighters over the years, and a fit and active Parker capable of clos
Bivol’s fights tend to go deep. The brilliant Russian has won his last eight by unanimous decision, with the WBA light heavyweight champion often preferring to take his time dissecting an opponent. Arthur is a well-schooled fighter in his own right with an educated jab, but is unlikely to pose a huge threat to one of the sport’s leading pound-for-pound fighters. The question is whether Bivol will step on the gas and force the stoppage or coast to a wide decision win after a lengthy period of inactivity.
Dmitry Bivol v Lyndon Arthur Bivol by UD
Bivol’s fights tend to go deep. The brilliant Russian has won his last eight by unanimous decision, with the WBA light heavyweight champion often preferring to take his time dissecting an opponent. Arthur is a well-schooled fighter in his own right with an educated jab, but is unlikely to pose a huge threat to one of the sport’s leading pound-for-pound fighters. The question is whether Bivol will step on the gas and force the stoppage or coast to a wide decision win after a lengthy period of inactivity.
Bivol’s fights tend to go deep. The brilliant Russian has won his last eight by unanimous decision, with the WBA light heavyweight champion often preferring to take his time dissecting an opponent. Ar
Boxing's best talker versus its worst. If you listened to Miller you’d think he was the second coming of George Foreman. He is not. That said, some give him a chance here given he will come in heavy and look to pressure Dubois who, for all his talent and explosive punching, has shown vulnerability. If it reaches the middle rounds and Miller is bullying Dubois then it could get very interesting. Dubois, though, is a heavy and accurate puncher with a big target to aim at. Getty Images
Daniel Dubois v Jarrell Miller Dubois by KO9
Boxing's best talker versus its worst. If you listened to Miller you’d think he was the second coming of George Foreman. He is not. That said, some give him a chance here given he will come in heavy and look to pressure Dubois who, for all his talent and explosive punching, has shown vulnerability. If it reaches the middle rounds and Miller is bullying Dubois then it could get very interesting. Dubois, though, is a heavy and accurate puncher with a big target to aim at. Getty Images
Boxing's best talker versus its worst. If you listened to Miller you’d think he was the second coming of George Foreman. He is not. That said, some give him a chance here given he will come in heavy a
Unfortunately could prove to be a bad mismatch. Opetaia is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport right now and isn’t inclined to play with his food. Zorro is a solid UK domestic operator but he’s in too deep here. Based on Opetaia's last outing against the similarly overmatched Jordan Thompson, he is likely to get the job done quickly. Getty Images
Jai Opetaia v Ellis Zorro Opetaia by KO4
Unfortunately could prove to be a bad mismatch. Opetaia is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport right now and isn’t inclined to play with his food. Zorro is a solid UK domestic operator but he’s in too deep here. Based on Opetaia's last outing against the similarly overmatched Jordan Thompson, he is likely to get the job done quickly. Getty Images
Unfortunately could prove to be a bad mismatch. Opetaia is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport right now and isn’t inclined to play with his food. Zorro is a solid UK domestic operator but
Kabayel recently reclaimed the European heavyweight title after a long period of inactivity and but is in deep against the heavy hitting Makhmudov. Kabayel should have the movement and skill to stay out of danger and enjoy some success of his own, but Makhmudov’s punching power is likely to prove the difference. Getty Images
Arslanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel Makhmudov by KO9
Kabayel recently reclaimed the European heavyweight title after a long period of inactivity and but is in deep against the heavy hitting Makhmudov. Kabayel should have the movement and skill to stay out of danger and enjoy some success of his own, but Makhmudov’s punching power is likely to prove the difference. Getty Images
Kabayel recently reclaimed the European heavyweight title after a long period of inactivity and but is in deep against the heavy hitting Makhmudov. Kabayel should have the movement and skill to stay o
Cuba’s Sanchez should prove to be levels above Fa, who was recently knocked out by a heavily faded Lucas Browne inside a round. Sanchez is 23-0 and looking to move up in the rankings towards a title shot. Getty Images
Frank Sanchez v Junior Fa Sanchez by KO7
Cuba’s Sanchez should prove to be levels above Fa, who was recently knocked out by a heavily faded Lucas Browne inside a round. Sanchez is 23-0 and looking to move up in the rankings towards a title shot. Getty Images
Cuba’s Sanchez should prove to be levels above Fa, who was recently knocked out by a heavily faded Lucas Browne inside a round. Sanchez is 23-0 and looking to move up in the rankings towards a title s
De Mori (41-2) is famous for a few things: Learning to box on Youtube, being battered in two rounds by David Haye, and having perhaps the most padded record in all of boxing. Hrgovic can take a little while to warm up but once he does he will take out De Mori with little trouble. Getty Images
Filip Hrgovic v Mark De Mori Hrgovic by KO3
De Mori (41-2) is famous for a few things: Learning to box on Youtube, being battered in two rounds by David Haye, and having perhaps the most padded record in all of boxing. Hrgovic can take a little while to warm up but once he does he will take out De Mori with little trouble. Getty Images
De Mori (41-2) is famous for a few things: Learning to box on Youtube, being battered in two rounds by David Haye, and having perhaps the most padded record in all of boxing. Hrgovic can take a little

Sport

Combat Sports

'Day of Reckoning' predictions: Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder to win in Riyadh

Heavyweight stars will be on collision course if they can both win in Riyadh on Saturday night

The National

December 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua admits his career is on the line when he faces Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Two-time world champion Joshua, who lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and also came up short in a rematch, is fighting on the same card as ex-WBC title holder Deontay Wilder.

The pair could fight next if both are victorious in Riyadh, with Wilder facing New Zealand's former WBO title holder Joseph Parker.

Asked if he might take his eye off the ball given a Wilder fight is in the works, Joshua said he was not thinking beyond Saturday's bout.

"My heart, my soul, every cell in my body is fully focused towards Otto Wallin and doing what I know I can do," the 34-year-old said.

"I know where I'm going in my life. But I've also got to say, this is the checkpoint and if I don't get past this, there is no future.

"So I'm fully locked into Otto Wallin and doing the job."

The Joshua-Wallin fight headlines a stacked eight-fight card in Riyadh. To see our predictions for each of the bouts you can swipe or scroll through the gallery at the top of the page.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Updated: December 22, 2023, 6:59 PM
Anthony JoshuaBoxingSaudi Arabia