Tuscaloosa’s Deontay Wilder Headed to Middle East

Will former Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder get yet another shot at Anthony Joshua? It seems to be in the works.

Though not facing each other, Wilder and Joshua have been officially announced to top a card in Saudi Arabia December 23d. Former WBA, IBF and WBO titlist Joshua will have a big challenge when he faces contender Otto Wallin. Wallin nearly  gave Tyson Fury more than he could handle a few years ago.

Wilder, will be taking on another former heavyweight champ in Joseph Parker. No world titles will be on the line in that bout. There’s no guarantee Wilder – or even  Joshua – will leave Saudi Arabia with wins. Either or both could lose.

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IF both win, they are likely to fight each other in the very near future, and the winner of THAT potential fight may end up facing the winner of the upcoming Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight championship bout.

Others featured on the Dec. 23 Saudi Arabia card include Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller will be there in Saudi Arabia, taking on Daniel Dubois, undefeated Frank Sanchez will fight Junior Fa, and heavyweight, Filip Hrgovic, will take on widely unknown Mark De Mori.

But there's more that night:  WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol will be facing off with Lyndon Arthur. Cruiserweight titlist Jai Opetaia will fight undefeated Ellis Zoro.

It's quite the card. While Joshua is a big attraction here, there are basically two main events December 23d, Joshua-Wallin, and Wilder-Parker.

That's a lot for fans to like, including Wilder's big West Alabama fan base.