Wilder in London for Saudi Arabia showdown with Joshua in December

Wilder in London for Saudi Arabia show with Joshua in December

Former world champion Deontay Wilder has arrived in London with his fight on the same bill as Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in December expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Speculation over a historic night of boxing bringing together some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division has been mounting this week.

Reports on Saturday claimed Wilder and Joshua were close to finalising deals to fight in separate bouts in Riyadh just before Christmas on 23 December.

That date was originally reserved for the undisputed title showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – a fight which has now been moved back to February as a result of ‘The Gypsy King’s bruising night at the office last month against Francis Ngannou.

But Saudi boxing officials have been determined for the show to go ahead.

Joshua has been lined up to fight Otto Wallin that night, fight talk was further fuelled when he and promoter Eddie Hearn were this week pictured alongside Turki Alalshikh, Saudi’s boxing power broker and the man most responsible for bringing Fury and Ngannou together in October.

A press conference has been called for Wednesday to announce the December show with Wilder and his trainer Malik Scott arriving in the capital on Tuesday.

Wilder and Scott were pictured sitting down having a cup of tea with the caption: ‘The Real is back… You’re all f****d.’

Wilder is reportedly lined up to fight former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker on the show.

Other reported bouts involve Daniel Dubois, who fell short in his world title challenge against Usyk in August.

Jarrell Miller, the American fighter who failed a string of drug tests ahead of his doomed world title fight against Joshua in 2019, is reportedly in the running to fight the Londoner.

 Heavyweight contenders Filip Hrgovic, Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov are also rumoured to be involved along with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and WBA light-heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol.

Opetaia also appeared to be on his way to the capital, sharing an update on Instagram of him making the journey from Brisbane to London.