British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua a former unified heavyweight champion, cruised to a win in his third fight of the year, beating Otto Walin by TKO in the fifth round in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
. This was Joshua’s third win in a row, following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in previuos years.
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Wallin whose only loss was to Tyson Fury in 2019 by unanimous decision has now suffered his career’s second defeat to Anthony Joshua.
However, speaking at Friday’s weigh-in, Joshua remains focused on Saturday’s fight and knows that without dispatching the Swede, he might not have a future in the sport.
“As I always say, let me focus on what I’ve got to focus on,” he told TNT Sports. “Without Saturday night there is no future.
“Saturday night, as I’ve been saying all week, that’s been my main focus. Whatever happens in the ring, that’s where my heart is. I need to get this win.”
On the event in Riyadh, Joshua added: “This is the best fight card in history and I’m here with you guys. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world right now.
“If my prayers are answered I’ll get the win. I’ve been focussed, praying hard and whatever god wants from me,
I’ll follow that path, who knows? I’m making sure it’s not just prayer, I’m following up by action as well.”
Wallin, who went the distance with Tyson Fury in 2019, was confident of providing an upset when quizzed over his blueprint to beat Joshua.
“I think by being myself,” he answered. “I’m a smart fighter, I’m a southpaw, I’ve trained for this moment for a very, very long time. I’m very much ready for it.
“We see tomorrow. All I know is tomorrow there’s going to be a new king and he’s from Sweden.”
Elsewhere, In another heavyweight boxing bout, Joseph Parker pulled off a shocking upset victory over Deontay Wilder. Parker, who like Wilder is a former heavyweight champion, won by unanimous decision.
With the win Parker (34-3, 23 KOs), the former WBO title holder, has now won four consecutive bouts. Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs), the former WBC titleholder, was competing for the first time since October 2022.
Also on the card, Dmitry Bivol successfully defended his WBA light heavyweight title against Lyndon Arthur picking up a unanimous decision win, and Daniel Dubois beat Jarrell Miller via 10th-round TKO to get back in the win column.
Here’s Mike Coppinger and Nick Parkinson’s takes on all the action at ‘Day of Reckoning’.
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