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In the world of boxing, rivalries aren’t just confined to the ring. They extend to the promoters, the architects of the sport’s biggest nights. Imagine a world where these rivalries dissolve. Think Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder fighting on the same card, an event so grand it’s set in Saudi Arabia. This isn’t fiction. It’s happening on December 23.
Two of boxing’s biggest promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, are joining forces for this spectacle. Now, Oscar De La Hoya has weighed in, but not in the way you might expect. His take on this rare collaboration? It’s a curveball that’s catching everyone’s attention.
Eddie Hearn and Warren are breaking boundaries
On December 23, a groundbreaking boxing event will unfold in Riyadh. Featuring some of the sport’s most prominent figures like Dmitry Bivol. Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will feature in this exceptional card, each facing formidable opponents in separate bouts. This event marks a rare collaboration between Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, two titans of boxing promotion traditionally seen as rivals. These two came together to host probably the biggest card of this year.
Amidst this unprecedented partnership, Oscar De La Hoya, a legend in his own right, has publicly expressed his views. Taking to Twitter, De La Hoya applauded the collaborative effort, stating, “I’m glad promoters are working together, it’s a great start in order to bring the fights the fans wanna see. I’ll keep beating the drum!”
I’m glad promoters are working together, it’s a great start in order to bring the fights the fans wanna see. I’ll keep beating the drum!
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) November 15, 2023
This endorsement from De La Hoya underscores the significance of the event, highlighting a potential shift towards more unified promotions in the sport.
Furthermore, the December 23 card isn’t just a display of promoter unity. It’s a showcase of some of the finest talent in boxing today. Joshua faces Otto Wallin, while Wilder takes on Joseph Parker, setting the stage for what many hope will be a future clash between Joshua and Wilder themselves.
Anthony Joshua teams up with Ben Davison for Wallin clash
In a strategic yet temporary move, Anthony Joshua has teamed up with renowned trainer Ben Davison for his upcoming fight against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia. This partnership is an interim arrangement with the full support of his regular trainer, Derrick James. The decision for this temporary shift appears primarily logistical, aimed at streamlining Joshua’s preparations while James focuses on Ryan Garcia’s comeback fight against Oscar Duarte on December 2.
Post-Wallin fight, Joshua plans to return to his regular training regime with James in the United States. Reaffirming this as a tactical, short-term collaboration with Davison for the specific challenges posed by the Wallin bout.
The upcoming December 23 card in Riyadh, marked by the collaborative effort of Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren and applauded by Oscar De La Hoya, signifies a potential turning point in boxing promotions. Additionally, Joshua’s temporary partnership with Ben Davison for the Wallin fight highlights the sport’s dynamic nature and the strategic decisions that shape a boxer’s career.
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Also Read: Dmitry Bivol Beats Injury, Set to Make His Return on Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder Undercard
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Will this spirit of collaboration and strategic adaptation become the new norm in boxing, leading to more such thrilling matchups in the future?
Watch this story: Teofimo Lopez Warns Eddie Hearn of DAZN’s Inevitable Collapse