John Fury, the father of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has expressed his concerns over Anthony Joshua’s upcoming fight against Otto Wallin. The bout, which is set to headline the 'Day of Reckoning’ event in Saudi Arabia, is seen by Fury as a significant risk for Joshua, potentially setting the stage for an upset.
Wallin, whose only professional loss came against Tyson Fury in a hard-fought twelve-round decision in 2019, left a strong impression in that fight. He managed to inflict severe cuts on Fury through legal punches, nearly leading to a stoppage by the ringside doctor. This performance, according to John Fury, indicates that Wallin is a formidable opponent capable of giving any fighter a tough challenge.
The fight is crucial for Joshua as it’s being billed as the final step before a planned showdown with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in early 2024. However, John Fury believes that Joshua’s team may have underestimated Wallin’s capabilities. Describing Wallin as a “6ft 5in southpaw” with a “good game” and an excellent trainer in Joey Gamache, Fury suggests that Joshua will face a test like never before.
While acknowledging Joshua’s potential to win, Fury is critical of the decision to choose Wallin as an opponent. Given Joshua's recent setbacks and need for a confidence-building match, Fury views the Wallin fight as an unnecessarily tough and risky choice. This perspective adds an intriguing layer to the bout, underscoring the high stakes and the potential for an upset that could significantly impact the heavyweight division's landscape.
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