Lyndon Arthur lands Dmitry Bivol title shot on huge Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wilder Saudi Arabia show

Manchester boxer Lyndon Arthur appears to have got an early Christmas present after landing a huge fight on the Saudi Arabia supershow featuring Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

A remarkable card in the Middle East on December 23 is expected to be confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday with Joshua set to face Otto Wallin and Wilder clashing with Joseph Parker in the heavyweight division.

Feared Russian light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is also slated to defend his WBA World title on the card and was pencilled in to go up against Richie Rivera. But veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael has revealed that after a deal couldn’t be agreed, the shot will now go to Arthur in Riyadh just a couple of days before Christmas.

Who is Lyndon Arthur?

Now 32, popular Manchester fighter Lyndon Arthur, a big United fan, has lost just one fight as a professional - when he was stopped by Anthony Yarde in their big rematch back in 2021. Arthur had won the first fight though and the light heavyweight has an impressive 23-1 record after picking up the IBO version of the world title when he defeated Braian Nahuel Suarez in Bolton in September. Bivol will be a big step up in class and ‘King Arthur’ would head into the fight as a big underdog.

Who is Dmitry Bivol?

The Russian is one of boxing’s most feared fighters and having held the WBA World light-heavyweight title since 2017, he has won all 21 of his fights as a professional, some at the very highest level. His most notable victory came when he got the better of Mexican great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez back in May 2022, winning on points over 12 rounds.

What is planned on the Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder fight card in Saudi Arabia?

Sadly for fight fans the pair won’t be fighting each other. But in Wallin and Parker they will face tricky foes before eventually locking horns in 2024. Elsewhere on the bill as well as the reported Bivol-Arthur clash, British heavyweight Daniel Dubois will be in action for the first time since his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August. There’s other big names rumoured too with an announcement expected on Wednesday.

What’s the latest on Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk?

The card represents the latest big play from the Saudi authorities in terms of boxing. Having staged Tyson Fury’s near disaster against Francis Ngannou in October, ‘Riyadh Season’ will include the ‘Gypsy King’s meeting with Usyk, which is reportedly now set for February 17. It was earmarked for this December 23 date, only for MMA star Ngannou to give Fury the fright of his life before the Wythenshawe-born star escaped with a points victory.