The next fight for Anthony Joshua is confirmed after Deontay Wilder blew a $100 million deal.
Joshua was scheduled to play Wilder again in 2019; but, following the American’s defeat to Joseph Parker, Joshua is now seeking a new opponent.
Following the collapse of his $100 million contract with Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua is now scheduled to challenge Filip Hrgovic for the world title.
Otto Wallin produced a vicious performance on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, rolling back the years. Joshua stopped him. However, Joseph Parker had outclassed Wilder an hour earlier, forcing him to call off their two-fight deal for 2024.
Joshua must now choose a rival for his upcoming bout and is probably going to try to win three weights in the world. After Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk in February, the four belts are predicted to fall apart, with Joshua and Hrgovic vying for the IBF title.
Joshua’s manager Eddie Hearn also attested to the fact: “We signed for Wilder, and he lost tonight. Given that AJ’s goal is to win the heavyweight title three times, perhaps it is a blessing. AJ and Hrgovic will compete for the world championship.” After defeating Jermaine Franklin Jr. via unanimous decision in April and stopping Robert Helenius in the seventh round in August, Joshua easily won his 27th fight as a professional.
Joshua has only lost once in his career, to Oleksandr Usyk twice after being defeated by Andy Ruiz in 2019. Wallin, a southpaw from Sweden, has only lost once in his career, to Tyson Fury. However, Joshua hurt Wallin by coming out of the blocks in Riyadh.
Joshua struck Walin’s head with a left punch, then thundered right, then quickly right again, leaving Wallin dazed and with blood streaming from his right nostril. Moving on to the third, Joshua hit another right, and Wallin’s repaired nose was leaking once more. After being taken off balance by a powerful left, Wallin, the former European champion, was forced to back up onto the ropes and sustained a gash to his right eye.
In the fourth round, Joshua, who had a steely appearance, repeatedly hit his opponent in the head and torso. A right palm stroked Wallin’s face, Joshua appearing relaxed and in command. In the fifth, Wallin was barely making an effort to counterpunch Joshua’s deadly, well-timed blows. Then, with a little more than a minute left in the round, Joshua dropped Wallin with an incredible left hook that sent him staggering in the direction of the ropes.
Joshua celebrated a devastating victory as Wallin held onto his feet and finished the round, but the Swede’s team declared their opponent was out. Joshua responded, “Not a throwback fight, just another fight,” when asked if he felt like he was in a throwback fight. I have a lot of respect for Otto, and I was telling everyone in the build-up that I should pay attention to the man in front of me because of his contributions. In the office, it was just another day.
