Anthony Joshua emphasized on Friday that his sole focus was on defeating Otto Wallin, rather than speculating about the implications the fight in Saudi Arabia could have on his future in heavyweight boxing. The 34-year-old Englishman is aiming for his third consecutive victory in 2023 when he takes on Swedish southpaw Wallin in Riyadh on Saturday. This fight holds significant importance for the two-time former world champion’s career.
Following his wins against Jermaine Franklin Jr in April and Robert Helenius in August, Joshua stated after Friday’s weigh-in, “If my prayers are answered, I’ll secure the win. I have been unwaveringly focused and praying diligently. Whatever path God has in store for me, I will follow it. I am not just relying on prayer alone, but also taking action.”
There has been ongoing speculation about a potential match between Joshua and former world champion Deontay Wilder, who is also fighting Joseph Parker on the same bill on Saturday. However, Joshua made it clear that his primary focus was on Saturday night’s fight. He stated, “Without Saturday night, there is no future. I have been reiterating all week that my main focus is on Saturday night. Regardless of the outcome, I know my heart lies in the ring. I need to secure this victory.”
Joshua has achieved 25 professional wins with three career losses, including a surprising defeat to Andy Ruiz in 2019 and two losses to current world champion Oleksandr Usyk. He weighed in at 251 pounds on Friday, while Wallin weighed in at 238.6 pounds.
Wallin’s only professional loss thus far was against Tyson Fury, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion. Wallin expressed his readiness for the fight, stating, “I am a smaller fighter and a southpaw. I have been training for this moment for a long time, so I am fully prepared. I know that tomorrow there will be a new king, and he will be from Sweden.”
In the other highly anticipated fight on the bill, Wilder weighed in at 213 pounds, while Parker weighed in at 245.3 pounds. Wilder, who has been defeated twice by Fury, calmly stated, “I am composed and collected.”
The American stated, “I have visited this place on numerous occasions and I have encountered Parker’s style in the past. However, he has never faced a style similar to mine. He has never experienced the force and strength that I possess.”
AFP
