In the world of boxing, rivalries aren’t just confined to the ring. They extend to the promoters, the architects of the sport’s biggest nights. Imagine a world where these rivalries dissolve. Think Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder fighting on the same card, an event so grand it’s set in Saudi Arabia. This isn’t fiction. It’s happening on December 23.

Two of boxing’s biggest promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, are joining forces for this spectacle. Now, Oscar De La Hoya has weighed in, but not in the way you might expect. His take on this rare collaboration? It’s a curveball that’s catching everyone’s attention.

In a strategic yet temporary move, Anthony Joshua has teamed up with renowned trainer Ben Davison for his upcoming fight against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia. This partnership is an interim arrangement with the full support of his regular trainer, Derrick James. The decision for this temporary shift appears primarily logistical, aimed at streamlining Joshua’s preparations while James focuses on Ryan Garcia’s comeback fight against Oscar Duarte on December 2.

Post-Wallin fight, Joshua plans to return to his regular training regime with James in the United States. Reaffirming this as a tactical, short-term collaboration with Davison for the specific challenges posed by the Wallin bout.

The upcoming December 23 card in Riyadh, marked by the collaborative effort of Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren and applauded by Oscar De La Hoya, signifies a potential turning point in boxing promotions. Additionally, Joshua’s temporary partnership with Ben Davison for the Wallin fight highlights the sport’s dynamic nature and the strategic decisions that shape a boxer’s career.