Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker: Fight Odds, Live Stream, Predictions

Deontay Wilder returns to the ring looking to put on a show against Joseph Parker as part of a massive card to end 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Wilder fight will serve as the co-main event with Anthony Joshua fighting Otto Wallin. If all goes according to plan, the card will set up an even bigger fight between Wilder and Joshua on March 9, 2024, per boxing insider Dan Rafael.

That will certainly give Wilder a little added motivation against an opponent who is not as accomplished as himself. On the other hand, Parker will look to play the role of spoiler and ruin the heavyweight superfight.

With Joshua on the card and a light heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Lyndon Arthur, there's plenty of competition for who is going to stand out.

Here's a look at all the info you need to catch the card and a closer look at this heavyweight co-main event.

Fight Schedule, Live Stream and Odds

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Joseph Parker

When: Saturday, December 23 at 11 a.m. ET (ringwalk approximately 5:35 p.m. ET)

Where: Riyadh's Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Live stream: DAZN

Odds: Wilder -650 (wager $650 to win $100), Parker +450 ($100 bet wins $450)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

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Joseph Parker

What Kind of Shape is Wilder In?

It's been a long time since we've seen Deontay Wilder in the ring in a way where he is pushed. He's only fought once since his October 2021 loss to Tyson Fury and that was a first-round knockout win over Robert Helenius.

It was a good reminder of the one-punch knockout power that Wilder possesses, but it didn't tell us much about his ability to fight with someone who can avoid his right hand for more than a round.

Presumably, Parker will be able to make it out of the first round. He's only been knocked out once in his career, an 11th-round finish at the hands of Joe Joyce.

There's a reason Parker is a sizable underdog. He doesn't have nearly the list of accomplishments in the ring as Wilder, but he can't be ruled out of giving Wilder a challenge.

He's much younger at 31 years old and has some power of his own. He is coming off a third-round knockout in Riyadh against Simon Kean to win the IBF and WBO inter-continental titles.

Wilder is now 38. It's not just a given that he's the same fighter that was once WBC champion.

Can Parker Take Advantage of the Ring Rust?

Joseph Parker doesn't lack in confidence. While some balk at the idea of talking a lot before fighting someone with Wilder's presence, he hasn't avoided the opportunity.

One reason he feels confident is that he's going to have an advantage from staying active and remaining sharp in the ring.

"I feel that being active, you're able to work on things and keep in shape, and there's nothing that beats fighting in the ring in front of a big crowd and preparing for a big fight," Parker said, per James Regan of ESPN. "It just depends, for Wilder, is ring rust a thing for him, or can he shake it off and come in fresh? Those are going to be big questions that we're going to see on fight night."

Unlike Wilder, Parker has remained really active. This will be his fourth fight of 2023 after beating Jack Massey in January, Gaiga Opelu in May and Kean in October, he should be in great shape and ready to go the distance if he can get it to go that long.

Prediction

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BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Deontay Wilder knocks out Robert Helenius in the first round during their WBC world heavyweight title eliminator bout at Barclays Center on October 15, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

It should be acknowledged that Parker is not a simple tuneup fight for Wilder. The 31-year-old has some of his own bonafide on his record which includes a run as the WBO heavyweight champion.

Wilder won't be the first big-name boxer that Parker has seen. He holds wins over Andy Ruiz Jr. and Derek Chisora (twice). He's taken Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte the distance (in losses).

Parker has fought in Saudi Arabia before and has worked with Tyson Fury in this fight camp. Fury knows better than anyone how to approach Wilder. He beat him twice and fought to a draw once.

These are all legitimate reasons to believe that Parker can challenge Wilder. But it's still not enough to convince that he can actually win the fight.

Wilder isn't going to have the same walk in the park he did against Helenius. He will have ot earn this one and work through a few rounds before he lands the fight-altering shot at that ends things.

Prediction: Wilder via sixth-round knockout