Anthony Joshua insists he remains focused on securing victory on Saturday night and will not be distracted by thoughts of future fights when he takes on Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.
The 34-year-old is aiming for three wins from three in 2023 after defeating Jermaine Franklin Jr. had already defeated him by unanimous decision in April before sealing a seventh-round stoppage against Robert Helenius in August for a 26th win of his professional career.
Saturday's fight in Riyadh is a key showdown for the former two-time world heavyweight champion, who has ambitions to return to the top of the heavyweight division. He weighed 17 pounds, almost 13 pounds heavier than his opponent.
Joshua said: "Without Saturday night there is no future. Saturday evening, I say all week, is my main focus. No matter what happens in the ring, I know that's where my heart lies. I have to get this victory.
"I've been focused, praying hard and whatever God wants from me, I'm going to follow that path. I make sure that it is not just about prayer, but that I also take action on it."
Amid rumors of a proposed fight against Deontay Wilder, who faces Joseph Parker on the same bill, Joshua says he is focusing on securing success on Saturday night before considering his next move.
He said: "I'm a serious fighter, I'm a serious businessman, I've got a great team behind me and they're taking care of business. As I always say, let me focus on what I need to focus on.
Joshua has suffered three losses in his career so far - he was defeated by Andy Ruiz in 2019 before Oleksandr Usyk beat him twice - while the Swedish southpaw has suffered just one career loss to Tyson Fury so far and claims there is will be a 'new king' on Saturday.
When is Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin?
Saturday December 23. An accurate start time is difficult to guarantee in the world of pay-per-view boxing, but the fight is unlikely to start before 10.30pm UK time if, as expected, this is the final bout of the evening.
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Joshua has had problems against Southpaws in the past, something that will be put to the test against 33-year-old Wallin.
What do the fighters say?
Joshua, the former world heavyweight champion, has said there would be "no future" for him in the sport if he fails to beat Wallin.
Two-time world champion Joshua, who lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles to Ukraine's Usyk in 2021, could fight Wilder if both get past their opponents in Riyadh.
Asked if it was difficult to focus on Wallin with a possible showdown against Wilder in the works, Joshua told reporters he wasn't thinking beyond Saturday's fight.
"My heart, my soul, every cell in my body is completely focused on Otto Wallin and doing what I know I can do," he said. "I know where I'm going in my life. But I also have to say: this is the checkpoint and if I don't get past this, there is no future. So I am fully connected to Otto Wallin and do the work."
In an interview with Telegraph Sport, Wallin revealed he had noticed a chink in Joshua's armour, saying: 'I think he feels he is vulnerable. . . he knows he can lose, and I feel like he's now fighting not to lose, instead of fighting to win.
Read the full interview here
When is Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker?
Also Saturday December 23. Wilder vs Parker will likely be the penultimate fight - before Joshua vs Wallin - but the exact start time could depend on the duration of the undercard fights.
Wilder comes into the fight at a paltry 15st 3lbs compared to Parker's 17st 7lbs and the heavy hitter, who has won 42 of his 43 wins by knockout, believes Parker has "never felt the power" he possesses.
What do the fighters say?
Ahead of Saturday's fight, Wilder told Telegraph Sport how he has been spending his time outside the ring. The heavyweight has been in Costa Rica to delve into the psychedelic world of self-discovery. "They made the drug on the spot, the DMT (Dimenthyltryptamine), and it was just a wonderful experience. It has helped me in my life. I am one of the happiest people I know in life, and God is good." You can read the interview here.
Where are the fights held?
In the Saudi capital Riyadh. The kingdom is trying to establish itself as the destination for boxing's biggest events, especially in the heavyweight division, after hosting the 2019 re-match of Fury vs Ngannou and Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr. organized. Fury vs Usyk will also be held in Saudi Arabia. Arabia.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), said: "The 'Day of Reckoning' fights represent the highly anticipated event that Riyadh Season is offering to boxing fans this year. It brings together some of the world boxing champions in groundbreaking fights."
Hearn said: "We are delighted to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh season and for what will ultimately be a historic event for our sport. I would like to thank His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for providing me with this fantastic opportunity."
Why are they on the same night?
Having reserved this date for Fury-Usyk (which has since been rescheduled), the Saudi organizers did not want to let the December 23 date pass without a major event.
"At the end of the day, money makes arguments - and that's what makes this possible," Warren told talkSPORT. "Everyone gets what they want and it's fantastic."
Hearn added: "No one had time to think about it. No one had time to look at old interviews and think, "That's what he said!"
"Our instructions were very clear from His Excellency. Just like Frank's... 'All these things between you don't interest me. This is what i want. Make it work'.
"I really believe that if the deal is right, if the situation is right, if the opportunity is there for our fighters, we will do what we can to make it happen.
How can I watch it in the UK?
In the UK, the entire event will be broadcast on a pay-per-view basis on Dazn and TNT Sports Box Office. It costs £19.99 on both platforms.
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Dazn customers can purchase the fight at www.dazn.com or via the Dazn app, accessible on their smart TVs, streaming sticks, laptop, tablets, mobile phones and gaming consoles.
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Sky customers can make purchases on channel 494 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
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Virgin Media TV customers in the UK: Customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top box should move to the Pay Per View Events rail.
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EE TV customers can go to channel 495 and pay with their remote control.
Who's on the undercard lineup?
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Co-main event: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin
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Co-main event: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker
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Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller
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Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur
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Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro
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Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark de Mori
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Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel
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Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa
Our predictions per fight
By Gareth A Davies, in Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaAnthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, heavyweight
Joshua at his aggressive best should be too much for Wallin, but as the New York-based Swede showed against Tyson Fury, he can be clumsy and tricky and, as a natural southpaw, creates clever angles for his punches in addition to very good jabs . footwork.
If Joshua allows his enemy into the fight, Wallin will grow in confidence and be able to frustrate the former two-time world champion. A cautious Joshua gives Wallin a chance in this match. An aggressive Joshua will be a different proposition. If so, expect a KO stoppage from Joshua in round 5 or 6.
Pronunciation: Joshua wins by fifth-round knockout
Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker, heavyweight
Great match between two former world champions. Parker will have to be calculated for every minute of every round, using his extremely good boxing skills and footwork to avoid one of the most dangerous right hands in the history of the sport from the Alabama slammer. Wilder is always dangerous, yet not technical, and while Parker tires in battle, Wilder can catch his foe with the right hand - or even the left hook - for a finish. Still, Parker, the underdog, cannot be written off.
Pronunciation: Wilder wins by knockout in the ninth round
Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur, light heavyweight
Bivol is perhaps one of the most technical top five boxers in the world in any weight class. This is a great opportunity for Arthur to demonstrate his own skills, with a fine jab and a long, elegant style, but Bivol, the efficiency itself, both in terms of the quality of output with each punch and great footwork, would be the Brit must surpass to maintain his light-footedness. to win the heavyweight world title by a wide points decision, or even by stoppage in the final third of the match.
Pronunciation: Bivol wins by TKO in the sixth round
Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller, heavyweight
A fascinating 10-round contest between young British Tyro Dubois, who brings devastating power and a fine jab, and the enfant terrible of the heavyweight division from Brooklyn, New York. Miller engineering and durability, plus experience, belie its massive 23-stone frame. This is a true 50/50 fight, with Dubois - after injury losses to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk - being very dangerous in the first half of the match. If it goes to the later rounds, 'Big Baby' Miller could make it his night.
Pronunciation: Miller wins by point loss or late stoppage
What are the chances?
"Wallin's good," Hearn said recently. 'They have sparred rounds before. AJ beat him in the amateurs - it's been a long time, yes, but really, ideally you don't really want to fight a southpaw, but you should be dealing with Otto Wallin. And we have enough confidence in AJ's ability to take that fight and win that fight. But it will be difficult. And he has to be aggressive in that fight. I believe he will stop him."
"[Parker] should be concerned," Wilder said. "Anyone who comes into contact with me should be concerned. Women lie, men lie, but numbers don't lie and I'm the hardest puncher in boxing history and numbers don't lie at all. Every man I've faced I've knocked out or put to the canvas, so I'm very dangerous and he has to be aware of that.
"I don't think this is going to be a long and drawn out fight. I think it will be over before you know it."
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