Carl Froch has weighed in on the much speculated mega card in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder had been set to fight at the end of the year when both parties agreed a deal with Saudi representatives Skills Challenges Promotions. That offer was subsequently pulled due to a shift in the sporting landscape in the region.
Now the two look set to fight on the same night, but not against each other. The card, being built as part of Riyadh Season, could include Jai Opetaia, Dmitry Bivol, Daniel Dubois and Jarrell Miller,
Joshua will reportedly face ex-Tyson Fury foe, Otto Wallin, whilst Wilder will take on former heavyweight champion, Jospeh Parker.
Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, Froch expressed his disappointment that the two men at the the top of the bill won’t be stepping into the ring at the same time.
“It’s disappointing for AJ to be fighting Wallin instead of Deontay Wilder. The AJ-Wilder fight is a very big fight, one that I could look forward to, it’s a fight I could get excited about. Does AJ get absolutely obliterated and knocked out in a couple of rounds because he’s a bit mentally still tentative, or does AJ actually turn up, put on a boxing masterclass and maybe even finish off Wilder. It’s a juicy fight and to now find out that AJ is fighting Wallin, I’ve got to be honest I’m a bit disappointed.
Otto Wallin isn’t a bad fight, it gets AJ back out there against somebody who’s quite capable, we saw him cut Tyson Fury, he’s on a run of few decent wins, but let’s be honest it’s nothing to get too excited about.”
‘The Cobra’ went on to make it clear who he blames for the Wilder-Joshua fight not materialising.
“I put the blame totally on Eddie Hearn or Anthony Joshua, because if AJ wanted to fight Wilder and he thought he was confident enough to make a statement and fight somebody like Wilder, then what a statement would that be, it’s mega fight. Now that’s been pulled the fans have had the rug pulled from under our feet.”
Reports suggest a press conference for the event could be held as early as Wednesday in London, where full details of who is set to feature on the card will be announced.