As the “Day of Reckoning” event in Saudi Arabia draws near, Anthony Joshua, the two-time unified heavyweight champion, has become the focus of intense scrutiny. With the boxing world’s eyes on him, Joshua faces questions about his future and his ability to tackle the challenge posed by the underrated Swedish southpaw, Otto Wallin.
Joshua’s journey has seen dramatic highs and lows, from his stunning upset by Andy Ruiz in 2019 to consecutive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk. These experiences have made him a more vulnerable figure, both in and outside the ring, attracting heightened attention from rivals and the press alike.
Despite the pressure and the critical analysis of his recent performances, Joshua remains unfazed about stepping into the ring with another southpaw. His past experiences against left-handed fighters have been a learning curve, and he is determined to turn these into a positive for his upcoming bout. On the DAZN One to One show, Joshua expressed confidence in his preparations and his ability to adapt and improve.
Having trained with Derrick James in Dallas for his last two fights, Joshua has switched gears to prepare for Wallin with Ben Davison. While rumors circulate about a potential future bout with long-time rival Deontay Wilder, Joshua knows the importance of not overlooking Wallin. A shock defeat could derail plans for any high-profile matchups, including the speculated clash with Wilder.
The “Day of Reckoning” card, organized on relatively short notice, presents another challenge for Joshua. However, he views the limited preparation time not as a setback but as a testament to his readiness and resilience. He remains committed to his goal of fighting three times this year and is eager to step into the ring, regardless of the preparation period.
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