Staggering weight difference as stars ‘held back’ in fiery face-off before Day of Reckoning

The Day of Reckoning is officially upon us, with both main events locked in after Saturday’s weigh-in while Daniel Dubois and Jarrell Miller almost came to blows in a fiery moment.

The heavyweight scrap was already bound to deliver fireworks, with Dubois weighing in on Saturday at 239 pounds while Miller came in at 333 pounds — making for nearly a 100-pound difference between the pair.

Dubois may be significantly lighter but he is still the strong favourite to get the win on Sunday morning as he looks to rebound from a last-start defeat to unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

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Miller though may be trying to get the advantage before the pair enter the ring by playing a few mind games, shoving Dubois at Saturday’s weigh-in as the rivals squared off.

Dubois attempted to get to Miller but had to be held back as tensions threatened to boil over.

It set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling day of action in Saudi Arabia this weekend, headlined by blockbuster fights that include Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

Joshua, who takes on Otto Wallin in the main event, weighed in at 251 pounds while Wilder came in at 213 pounds for his bout against Kiwi Joseph Parker.

Joshua insisted he was completely focused on beating Wallin rather than worrying what the outcome of the bout in Saudi Arabia might mean for his future in heavyweight boxing.

The 34-year-old Englishman will be bidding for his third win from as many bouts in 2023 when he faces Swedish southpaw Wallin in Riyadh.

The fight has potentially major consequences for the two-time former world champion’s career.

Joshua, who beat Jermaine Franklin Jr by unanimous decision in April before a seventh-round stoppage success against Robert Helenius in August, said after the weigh-in: “If my prayers are answered, I’ll get the win.

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“I’ve been focused, praying hard and whatever God wants from me, I’m going to follow that path. I’m making sure it’s not just prayer. I’m following up by action as well.”

There has long been talk that Joshua could face another former world champion in Deontay Wilder — who takes on Joseph Parker on the same bill.

But Joshua said: “Without Saturday night there is no future. Saturday night, I’ve been saying all week, is my main focus. Whatever happens in the ring, I know that’s where my heart is. I need to get this win.”

Joshua has won 25 professional fights with three career losses, having suffered a shock defeat by Andy Ruiz in 2019 before going down twice to current world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Wallin’s only professional defeat so far came against Tyson Fury, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.

“I’m a small fighter. I’m a southpaw,” said Wallin.

“I’ve trained for this moment for a very long time so I’m very much ready for it. I know tomorrow there’s going to be a new king and he’s from Sweden.”

Wilder, twice beaten by Fury, said: “I’m just this calm and collected.”

The American added: “I’ve been here many times before and I’ve fought his (Parker’s) style before. He’s never fought a style like mine. He’s never felt the power that I bring and possess.”

Elsewhere, Australian boxing superstar Jai Opetaia weighed in at 198.4 pounds for his fight against Ellis Zorro — a fight that is even more important now considering what he is given up to get there.

Opetaia was made to vacate his IBF cruiserweight strap to take part in Sunday’s fight card but is looking to make the most of the opportunity, insisting there is “no cap” on his potential earning.

Meanwhile, Australian heavyweight hitter Mark De Mori tipped the scales at 242.6 pounds as he looks to cause an upset against rival Croatian Filip Hrgovic.

DAY OF RECKONING WEIGH-IN RESULTS

Anthony Joshua 251.0 (113.9kg) vs. Otto Wallin 238.6 (108.2kg)

Deontay Wilder 213.0 (96.6kg) vs. Joseph Parker 245.3 (111.3kg)

Daniel Dubois 239.0 (108.4kg) vs. Jarrell Miller 333.0 (151.0kg)

Dmitry Bivol 174.6 (79.2kg) vs. Lyndon Arthur 174.2 (79.0kg)

Arslanbek Makhmudov 262.0 (118.8kg) vs. Agit Kabayel 241.3 (109.5kg)

Jai Opetaia 198.4 (90.0kg) vs. Ellis Zorro 197.4 (89.5kg)

Filip Hrgovic 246 (111.6kg) vs. Mark De Mori 242.6 (110.0kg)

Frank Sanchez 238.0 (108.0kg) vs. Junior Fa 278.9 (126.5kg)