Tag: Day of Reckoning

Ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou reacts to Deontay Wilder’s shocking loss to Joseph Parker

Francis Ngannou and Deontay WilderFormer UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is chomping at the bit to fight Deontay Wilder after ‘The Bronze Bomber’…

Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is chomping at the bit to fight Deontay Wilder after ‘The Bronze Bomber’ suffered a shocking loss at the hands of Joseph Parker.

Wilder returned to the ring more than a year removed from his first-round knockout of Robert Helenius as part of the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh. Hoping to fight his way back into title contention, Wilder appeared to suffer from a severe bout of ring rust as he failed to offer much in the way of offense throughout the 36-minute affair.

In the end, Parker scored a decisive unanimous decision, shocking the live crowd and leaving many to wonder if the 38-year-old pugilist’s best days are behind him.

Rumored to be in talks for a fight with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ either inside a cage or the ring sometime in 2024, Francis Ngannou offered his immediate reaction to Wilder’s lopsided loss on social media.

“Licking my lips after watching this fight,” Ngannou wrote on X.

Ngannou and Wilder Have been linked to a clash in 2024

Francis Ngannou shook the boxing world to its core in October, going toe-to-toe with perhaps the greatest fighter on the planet, Tyson Fury. ‘The Predator’ even put Fury on the canvas at one point, but ultimately came up short on the somewhat controversial scorecards. Since then, every top 10 heavyweight has been itching to test their skills against the MMA star. That includes Deontay Wilder who suggested that a fight between the two could happen either in the boxing ring or inside the PFL Smart Cage next year.

After Wilder’s poor showing against Joseph Parker, it’s safe to say Francis Ngannou likes his chances whether it’s in four-ounce gloves or eight-ounce ones.

Joseph Parker shocks the world, dominates Deontay Wilder en Route to UD win- Joshua vs. Wallin Highlights

Joseph Parker vs. Deontay WilderJoseph Parker has shocked the world. Stepping into the squared circle eight weeks removed from this third-round knockout against…

Joseph Parker vs. Deontay Wilder

Joseph Parker has shocked the world.

Stepping into the squared circle eight weeks removed from this third-round knockout against Simon Kean to capture the vacant IBF and WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight titles, the Kiwi scored the biggest win of his boxing career, besting knockout artist Deontay Wilder after 12 rounds of dominance.

It was clear from the get-go that Wilder’s game plan was to counter, looking for the big right hand against Parker.

Parker had a similar game plan, looking to land his own right hand. But the New Zealand native was much more effective at mixing up his strikes, attacking Wilder upstairs and down with the jab and rendering Wilder’s signature power powerless by putting the big man on his backfoot throughout the 36-minute affair.

In the eighth round, Parker nearly put Wilder away with a nasty overhand right that caught ‘The Bronze Bomber‘ flush. Parker looked to end things early with a flurry of strikes, but Wilder managed to hang on, narrowly escaping the round with his chin intact.

Clearly down on the scorecards, Wilder attempted to let his hands go in the final round, but by then, Parker had already figured out how to defend his singular attack and largely clinched his way to what would be a certain victory.

Official Result: Joseph Parker def. Deontay Wilder via unanimous decision (118-111, 118-110, 120-108)

Check Out Highlights From Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker: