Otto Wallin lists three reasons he ‘didn’t really understand’ Anthony Joshua choosing to fight him in Saudi showdown
BULLISH Otto Wallin is relishing the opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia next week.
The 33-year-old will take on the former heavyweight champion in Riyadh on December 23.
Wallin has revealed that he was surprised to get the call from AJ's camp, for three reasons.
Chatting to Boxing Social, the Swede said: "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 rose to prominence in 2019 when he fought Tyson Fury in a bloody battle.
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He fell to the Gypsy King on points, but not without brutally cutting him, leaving the current WBC champ needing 47 stitches.
The 6ft 5in powerhouse has since won six fights in a row, including wins over Dominic Breazeale and Murat Gassiev.
He is not short of confidence heading into his bout with AJ, and said of the Brit after their first 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.
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"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."
Joshua, 34, is looking to make it three wins on the bounce since losing his Oleksandr Usyk rematch, following low-key triumphs over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.
Following those Usyk defeats, as well as his previous loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, Wallin believes there are holes in Joshua's game that he can exploit.
Asked about that subject, he said: "Definitely. 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."
Wallin's promoter Dimitry Salita has suggested that Joshua could RETIRE if he loses next weekend.
While AJ recently took aim at old foe Fury, calling him a "fat slob".
🥊ANTHONY JOSHUA VS OTTO WALLIN: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THRILLING SAUDI CLASH🥊