11 December 2023 , 14:40
734
0
Otto Wallin has explained why Anthony Joshua is making a mistake by fighting him in the hopes of setting up a Deontay Wilder clash.
Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua fights Wallin on December 23 at the 'Day of Reckoning' event in Saudi Arabia with Wilder also in action against Joseph Parker. 'AJ' is looking to top off a successful year after beating Jermaine Franklin in April and knocking out Robert Helenius in August.
Wallin has only been beaten by Joshua's longtime rival Tyson Fury in his professional career and he was even on the brink of beating Fury after he opened up a massive cut on the Brit's eyebrow. Joshua is favoured by bookies to beat Wallin but the Swede gave three reasons as to he thinks why 'AJ' will come up short.
Who wins on December 23 - Anthony Joshua or Otto Wallin? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
“He’s got a new trainer, short notice, southpaw again, so I didn’t really understand it. I didn’t think they would pick me, I was surprised and I didn’t think it was the best move but I get the chance to beat him and really cement my name up there with the best heavyweights in the world," Wallin told Boxing Social.
Deontay Wilder offers advice to Manny Pacquiao's son ahead of latest fight
Joshua is working with Fury's old trainer Ben Davison for his fight against Wallin having previously been coached by Derrick James for his past two fights. Davison serves as the fourth trainer Joshua has gone through in a matter of years as he worked with Robert McCracken and Robert Garcia but also split from both of the coaches.
Wallin felt 'AJ' wasn't confident in himself when they faced off for the first time at the launch press conference. “I felt he was stiff, tense and nervous. He seemed very unsure of himself. I think he is a guy that takes himself pretty seriously. He told me not to shake my hand after if I’m talking now so I said I’m not here to make friends, I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this fight," he added.
“He’s already been beaten three times. There’s no secret he can get beat. I think that now more than before his mind is in a bad spot. He has too much pressure on his shoulders and he’s feeling it. That’s hard for him. He’s not the champion and that brings him down. It shows with all his different trainers.”
You can watch the fight here.