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Boxing

Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker: Wilder 'willing to die in the ring' in Day of Reckoning fight

Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker: Wilder 'willing to die in the ring' in Day of Reckoning fightGettyImages

Deontay Wilder wants to make one thing clear: He isn't going to let Joseph Parker walk him down when the two fighters meet at "Riyadh Season: Day of Reckoning" later this month, live on DAZN PPV.

Wilder is known as the Bronze Bomber due to his immense punching power — 42 of the American's 43 victories have come by way of knockout.

As such, Wilder will be expected to rely on his heavy fists once again when he takes on Parker on Dec. 23, with the victor likely putting himself front and centre in the world heavyweight title picture.

For the 38-year-old, it would be a fool's game for Parker to try to trade blows with him.

“If Joseph Parker tries to walk me down, there's two words for that: Robert Helenius," Wilder told Instant Casino, referring to his first-round knockout of the Finnish fighter last year. 

"We knew each other very well, but my style had changed a bit from when we sparred, he wasn't used to me being a mover. He was used to me sitting there, fighting fire with fire.

"When I switched it up, it knocked him off his game, which caused him to change his game plan up and he started lunging at me, trying to walk me down and the first right hand I threw it knocked him out.

"If Joseph Parker comes out and fights with fire with fire, he will be playing a dangerous game when it comes to me because of the power I have. Because when I come to punch I punch through you, not just to you.

"It will be exciting to see his game plan, but when he feels the power the first time his game plan is going to change. I'm looking forward to knocking him out, we were meant to fight many, many years ago but he ran from me.” 

Wilder is eager to see what Parker will bring to the ring when they face off, and he expects a good challenge from the New Zealander. However, Wilder only sees one outcome for the bout.

“Parker has stated many times he's a new man and new fighter and when we came face to face he looked very confident," he said. 

"He really believed in his words and after feeling his energy, it allowed me to come home to train even harder because I know what I'm up against.

"That's all a fighter wants from another fighter - that they come and bring his best. Because I'm coming to bring my all, you're looking at a man that's willing to die in the ring at any given time.

"I've proved that many times and it's not going to stop until the end of my career.”

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