Former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, delivered certainly one of his finest fights since 2018 after beating Otto Wallin within the fifth spherical by way of a technical knockout in a non-title combat in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia within the early hours of Sunday.
After victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius earlier this 12 months, the Nigerian-born British boxer knew he wanted to win the combat to maintain alive his dream of difficult for one more world title and finish the 12 months on a excessive be aware.
The win over Wallin means Joshua has received three fights in 2023.
Joshua was aggressive and dominated the combat from the primary spherical and stored on touchdown punches to Wallin because the 33-year-old Swedish boxer struggled to achieve stability.
Within the fifth spherical, Joshua landed a proper adopted by an enormous left hook that left Wallin staggering throughout the ring.
With blood streaming from numerous wounds, Wallin’s nook referred to as the combat off earlier than the beginning of the sixth spherical.
The victory took the 34-year-old Joshua’s skilled document to 27 wins and three defeats.
“Simply one other combat,” Joshua advised DAXN.
“I respect Otto. Not a lot a throwback combat, simply one other day within the workplace. Victory by any means. Like Otto, you need to do no matter it takes to be victorious. That’s all I need to be.”
“What I need to do is simply be victorious so long as I can,” Joshua stated within the post-fight interview. “I’m looking for greatness, attempting to enhance.”
However plans for an enormous combat with Deontay Wilder in 2024 have been derailed after New Zealander former world champion Joseph Parker defeated the American.
Anthony Joshua was then requested about Deontay Wilder, who he was presupposed to combat in March, however who had misplaced to Joseph Parker earlier within the night. “I’m going to take the upper floor,” stated Joshua, “and I hope he (Wilder) comes again.”
