Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin LIVE RESULT: Eddie Hearn teases fans with AJ’s next opponent after Wilder’s loss – latest
BRITISH mogul Anthony Joshua put on a masterclass that forced Otto Wallin's corner to pull the Swede out after five dominant rounds in Riyadh.
However there was a big shock in the co-main, with Deontay Wilder BLOWING the prospect of his AJ fight after being battered to defeat by Joseph Parker.
And it could mean a new opponent will be lined up for Anthony Joshua which Eddie Hearn has all but confirmed.
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Good combo
Plenty of credit must go to trainer Ben Davison. The pair linked up for the first time for this contest, and it's no coincidence that we've seen the best version of the former heavyweight champion.
It's clearly paying dividends. Needs to continue.
Credit: GETTY 'He's back'
"I believe that this Anthony Joshua is the best heavyweight in the world, that was a punch-perfect performance tonight," says Eddie Hearn
Full quotes coming shortly.
What a sight
“I am back!”
"I am back!," Anthony Joshua barks at his corner. You can see the fire in his eyes.
Otto Wallin said that AJ wasn't the same guy anymore. He was right - he's better on the evidence of tonight.
Yes, this is the same Otto Wallin that Tyson Fury battled to a rugged points win over back in 2019. The same who'd won his last six on the bounce.
Anthony Joshua celebrates with fans after emphatic Otto Wallin victory at Day of ReckoningCelebrate
AJ didn't look ecstatic when winning his last fight, he does tonight. Yes, he'll be please with the victory, but he'll be even more pleased with the manner of his win. That was emphatic. Nasty Anthony Joshua is the best Anthony Joshua.
Wallin's corner knew their man had taken too much punishment. I suspect the Swede has a broken nose in addition to that cut right eye.
Credit: getty Anthony Joshua beats Otto Wallin by TKO!
Otto Wallin's team throw in the towel and this one is over. AJ is back to his best with a confident, power and sharp performance - he was firing on all cylinders and Wallin simply couldn't handle it.
Credit: getty Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin – Round 5
Well you wouldn't say this has been a difficult round to score. AJ has won every round. I don't want to speak too soon but it looks like the spiteful Anthony Joshua of old. The balance looks good and he's landing some big shots.
More brutal body shots. More jabs.
Bang! Is this the end? AJ executes a perfect right hook that wobbles Wallin, who runs for cover. Joshua picks his moments instead of rushing in and blasting the Swede out of there.
He survives. Just.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin – Round 4
Just seeing a few replays of those body shots from AJ. Thunderous to say the least.
Wallin with a bloody nose and a cut under his right eye looks to land a right hook but it didn't connect and Joshua returns with an accurate right. The Swede almost looks afraid to really commit to the punch through fear of what's coming back.
This is impressive.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin - Round 3
Solid right from Wallin at the start of this round. You can hear his corner applauding that, but Anthony Joshua doesn't seem bothered.
"Oh Anthony Joshua," is the cry from about seven fans trying to generate some atmosphere. It doesn't last long.
AJ eventually found his range in the third round. So much so that there's markings on the right eye of Wallin. Some crunching body shots in there to from the former heavyweight champion.
Credit: GETTY
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin - Round 2
My commiseration to anyone watching this on DAZN. The second the bell went, the sound went with it. They have a sign up apologising for the audio issues.
Solid left jab followed by a cracking overhand right from AJ against the Southpaw. He's confident tonight, hitting through his punches and setting himself nicely.
Wallin's got a bloody nose for his troubles. Clearly having difficulty breathing and having to breathe through his mouth instead. 2/2 for AJ.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin - Round 1
Nice and assertive from Anthony Joshua in that opening round. Otto Wallin looks surprised by his power, he's backed up up once or twice with blocked efforts that still looked to do damage.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin
We're underway.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin
Honesty, it's so quiet inside the arena shortly before Anthony Joshua enters. I know it's nearly 2.30am over there but come on guys!
AJ strides with purpose. He looks relaxed, singing along with his walkout track. I won't attempt to name it.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin
Ok then, it's the final fight of the night. The big one. The top dog. Anthony Joshua looking for a statement win over an extremely confident Otto Wallin, who thinks this is going to be a walk in the park.
Wallin enters to 'The Winner Takes It All' by ABBA. That's going to strike a chord with the floating voters. Not exactly an energetic track mind.
'Ruined our plans'
Eddie Hearn, speaking to TNT Sports about that Deontay Wilder loss: "I said in the build-up I don't rate him.
"Wilder had no idea, no clue. He lost every round. He had his hand up telling the referees he won the fight. He's not right. That's the reality.
"It was the most one-sided heavyweight fight I've ever seen. It's ruined our plans. We've got to go let Anthony Joshua know Wilder lost to Parker.
"We must win this fight. And after that, I'm nervous."
Tell us what you really think, Eddie!
Man of few words
Yep, we're going to talk about Anthony Joshua's demeanour again…
It seems that everyone becomes a body language expert on AJ fight week, studying he way he moves and every utterance out of his mouth.
And this week has been no different.
He's been fairly quiet and has given a few one-word answers to questions, which has caused a stir. He's disengaged in interviews and media events but insists he's all business ahead of this contest.
"I want to fight. I want to perform well. Put that pressure on myself," Joshua said. "I'm here to fight, I'm not here to party and get caught up in the glitz and glamour.
"Of course I'm tense because I want to perform, I want to win. I've got that urge to win and I want to hurt my opponent as well."
Credit: getty 'Deontay Wilder blows NINE-FIGURE two-fight deal'
That's the opinion of our boxing expert Wally Downes Jr.
Anthony Joshua's head must be all over the place after Deontay Wilder blows their NINE-FIGURE two-fight deal with Parker lossBoxing friends
Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, eh?
Former mortal enemies turned best buddies in Saudi Arabia. And it only took a Sheik with access to a truckload of money to make it happen.
It's a modern fairytale.
Meeting for the first time on Wednesday, Hearn said: "I said we should forget the rubbish, that this is a big opportunity for Queensberry, Matchroom, for boxing and our fighters, so let's not mess it up. He said pretty much the same to me.
"He's alright actually."
Don't sound too surprised, Eddie.
'I stayed calm, relaxed, stayed focused'
Joseph Parker, speaking to DAZN: "I have a lot of respect for Wilder but we trained very hard for this. Everyone had other plans but this is God's plan.
"I was really fit. I stayed calm, relaxed, stayed focused. There's always things to work on but I got the win. Merry Christmas to us.
"He did catch me a few times on the guard and it's very hard. If it landed clean then it could be a different story. Working with Andy and George and not getting out of shape was important.
"This is massive and the best opponent I've ever faced. Tyson Fury gave us his time with sparring and was massively important."
Credit: getty The main event
One fight remaining, and it's the big one! Anthony Joshua returns to the ring against Otto Wallin at the Kingdom Arena. Standby.
That winning moment
Joseph Parker celebrates as he claims shock victory over Deontay Wilder on Day of Reckoning undercard
'Did a great job'
"No excuses tonight," says Deontay Wilder. That retreat he went on clearly works because he's showing great humility and leaves with high spirits.
Really was quite strange that interview. One commentator called him 'delusional' for being happy and thinking he did enough to win the right despite losing every round. Another said he's 'content' after hearing him speak about how well he's invested his money.
I'm really not sure we'll be seeing him in the ring again.
Parker reacts
"Everyone had plans, other plans, but this is God's plan," says Joseph Parker, who's kind of an expert in winning with humility. The kind of guy that knocks you down and takes you to the hospital.
Parker clearly referring to the planning of Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua next March. Everyone suggesting the fight was done and dusted, but he's now thrown a huge spanner in the works.
Joseph Parker beats Deontay Wilder on points
118-111, 118-110, 120-108 to Joseph Parker. It's a unanimous decision and it righty goes the way of the Kiwi.
Deontay Wilder shook his head a bit, but didn't look too shocked by that. Perhaps that fist in the air was an attempt to sway the minds of the judges. Who knows.
Credit: getty Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
I'd be stunned if this is anything other than a unanimous points victory for Joseph Parker. Still waiting on that decision…
