Nigerian-born British boxer Anthony Joshua made an emphatic statement at the Day of Reckoning event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The former two-time unified heavyweight champion secured his third victory of 2023 with a decisive fifth-round TKO over Sweden’s Otto Wallin.
The 34-year-old showcased a masterclass in the ring, employing a jab-and-right hand combination that overwhelmed Wallin, ultimately leading to the Swedish boxer throwing in the towel. Despite the dominant performance, Joshua remained characteristically humble, describing the win as “another day at the office.”
Acknowledging Wallin’s tenacity, Joshua emphasized the cutthroat nature of boxing, likening it to a “snakes and ladders” game where victory at all costs is paramount. While the victory solidifies Joshua’s path to redemption, a shock upset in the penultimate bout saw former WBC champion Deontay Wilder suffer an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker, potentially altering the trajectory of the highly anticipated Joshua-Wilder clash.
“I wasn’t watching Wilder,” Joshua remarked, underscoring his focus on his own journey. However, he expressed confidence in Wilder’s comeback, hinting at a potential future showdown. With Wilder’s status uncertain, Joshua’s attention now shifts to the winner of the upcoming heavyweight unification bout between Usyk and Fury.
“That would be great,” Joshua admitted, envisioning a potential return to his former three-time champion glory. The heavyweight landscape, ever unpredictable, keeps Joshua on his toes as he navigates the sport’s treacherous business.
- Tags: Anthony Joshua, Boxing, otto wallin, Riyadh, wilder
