Deontay Wilder out to ‘deliver’ knockout of Joseph Parker on Day of Reckoning – ‘That’s what brings excitement’

The cherry in the distance might be a mega showdown with Anthony Joshua, but Deontay Wilder insists he is out to add another knockout to his ludicrous strike rate when he takes on Joseph Parker live on TNT Sports on Saturday night.

Wilder is regarded as the biggest puncher in the heavyweight division and boasts a near perfect knockout record in his career to date.

While he might have lost his WBC title to Tyson Fury, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ remains one of the most entertaining fighters to watch and vowed to dazzle fans with his devastating one-punch power on what has been billed as the ‘Day of Reckoning’.

Asked if he was going to look for the knockout, Wilder told reporters: “Most definitely. That’s what brings excitement to the heavyweight division. The explosiveness, the excitement and, of course, the secret recipe, the knockout.

“When people come to see heavyweight boxers, they come to see the knockout.

“I thank God that I’m blessed with a blessing and a curse in a right hand that I can deliver and give people what they pay their hard-earned money to see.

“It’s something that I’m naturally born with and I naturally do. If you want to see knockouts, put Deontay Wilder on the card. If you want to see excitement, put Deontay Wilder on the card and I’m on the card.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday night.”

While most of the talk in the build-up to the star-studded Saudi Arabia card has been about Wilder’s biggest weapon, Parker also appears quietly confident.

The Kiwi is a former WBO champion and comes into the contest on a three-fight win streak after losing to Britain’s Joe Joyce. At 31, he is also seven years Wilder’s junior.

He is all too aware of the threat his opponent poses but believes he is coming into the bout in possession of more power himself after what he described as the “best prep” he’s ever had.

“Any heavyweight can knockout any heavyweight,” said Parker after his arrival in Riyadh. “I think any fighter can knock out any fighter. It depends on the punch, placement, and the right time.

“I know everyone is talking about Deontay Wilder’s knockout power and rightly so, he’s knocked out everyone he’s fought except Tyson Fury, but I can knock people out myself.

“I’ve been working on my power and I’ve got to put it on display.”

Parker added: “Andy Lee with his experience and being around Tyson in his camp was able to come up with a good gameplan.

“And I’ve also leaned on Tyson for help as well so both of them together I feel like I’ve had the best prep ever.”

On Saturday 23 December, fight fans will witness boxing’s greatest champions, head-to-head in what promises to be an action-filled night of entertainment, as part of Riyadh Season. In a UK broadcast first “Day of Reckoning” will be available live on both DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office for fans to watch in the UK and Ireland.

“Day of Reckoning” costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched through DAZN or TNT Sports Box Office and is available via the DAZN app on Smart TVs, streaming sticks, tablets, laptops and game consoles, Virgin Media TV, Sky and EE TV.

Virgin Media TV customers in the UK: customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View Events rail.

EE TV customers can go to channel 495 and pay using their remote control.