Anthony Joshua bids to continue his return to the summit of heavyweight boxing when he faces Otto Wallin in a crucial showdown in Saudi Arabia this month.
The British star has won twice this year as he rebuilds his elite career following back-to-back world title losses to the great Oleksandr Usyk. But he still has questions to ask following an underwhelming points win over Jermaine Franklin and a KO of late stand-in Robert Helenius.
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Now AJ takes on the dangerous Swede Wallin in a pivotal match, one which could set him up for a blockbusting showdown with the ever-dangerous Deontay Wilder in 2024. And then potentially a new world title shot against the winner of that Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk unification match.
Here is all you need to know about that Joshua vs Wallin cracker, set for just before Christmas in the Middle East.
Date and time: When is Joshua vs Wallin?
Joshua vs Wallin heads an incredible ‘Day of Reckoning’ card (more on that to come) which is set for Saturday December 23, 2023.
The bout takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and ring walks are expected to be around 2230-2300 UK time (that is 1730-1800 Eastern Standard Time in the United States and 1430-1500 PST).
Watch Live: TV channel and live stream
That ‘Day of Reckoning’ bill – topped by Joshua vs Wallin – will be streamed exclusively live by DAZN PPV in the United States, and by DAZN PPV and TNT Sports Box Office in the UK & Ireland.
The show will be charged as an additional pay-per-view (PPV) in certain key markets and included as part of a DAZN subscription in others.
- US + Canada: 39.99 USD
- UK: 19.99 GBP
- Rest of the world: 21.99 USD in local currency
Prices include all tax (if applicable).
Latest odds
UK bookmakers have Joshua as a handy favourite at 2/7 with Wallin the 10/3 underdog and the Draw priced at 22/1.
US sportsbooks have Joshua at -350 (bet $350 to win $100) with Wallin +320 (bet $100 to win $320) and the Draw +1700.
Joshua vs Wallin weights
The weigh-in for Joshua vs Wallin took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday December 22, 2023. Joshua came in at 251lbs – a pound heavier than for his knockout of Robert Helenius in August.
Wallin meanwhile weighed 238.6lbs – just over a pound heavier than for his recent defeat of Murat Gassiev.
Anthony Joshua record
Joshua, now 34 years old, has fought 29 times as a professional, with a 26-3 record. 26 wins and 3 losses. Some 23 of those wins have come inside distance.
AJ, a former Olympic champion in the amateurs, has an impressive resume – which includes some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division in recent years.
Joshua, among others, has posted victories over Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin, Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Carlos Takam, Alexander Povetkin, Andy Ruiz, Kubrat Pulev and Robert Helenius.
Joshua’s defeats have all come in world title fights – that shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and then those back-to-back decisions at the hands of Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
Otto Wallin record
The 33-year-old Wallin has an impressive professional record of 26-1 – 26 victories in 27 fights. His reputation though comes largely on the back of that one defeat. A points loss to a certain Tyson Fury back in September 2019 in Las Vegas.
Wallin took Fury right to the brink in that showdown on the Strip, cutting the Englishman badly early in the bout before dropping a unanimous decision. The cut saw Fury have 47 stitches in that eye post-fight.
Otto’s biggest wins to date have come against former cruiserweight star Murat Gassiev, journeyman Rydell Booker and former heavyweight title challenger Dominic Breazeale.
Joshua vs Wallin undercard
Wow, where do we start. This might be the biggest heavyweight bill in boxing history.
‘The Day of Reckoning’ in Riyadh on Saturday December 23 will see a host of the world’s top heavyweights fighting on the same card.
As well as Joshua vs Wallin, we have the following popcorn-worthy matchups:
Deontay Wilder (43-2-1) vs Joseph Parker (33-3)
That Joshua vs Wilder blockbuster is so close, but first ‘The Bronze Bomber’ must overcome the tough former heavyweight king Parker in another massive showdown on that Riyadh card. Deontay has not been out since a first-round KO of Robert Helenius in October 2022, while Parker has enjoyed three comfortable wins over lesser opposition since that bruising loss to Joe Joyce. Wilder will start a hot favourite – can Parker deal with his concussive power?
Filip Hrgovic (16-0) vs Mark De Mori (41-2-2)
Hrgovic has been one of the most avoided men in the heavyweight division in recent years, and he gets another chance to impress on a big night when he features on the Joshua vs Wallin/Wilder vs Parker undercard in Saudi. Hrgovic of course defeated Zhilei Zhang last year, a performance which drew criticism at the time. But after ‘Big Bang’ notched back-to-back wins over the aforementioned Joyce, it now looks pretty impressive for the Croatian star.
Daniel Dubois (19-2) vs Jarrell Miller (26-0-1)
Dubois returns to the ring after that unsuccessful world heavyweight title challenge against Usyk back in August. ‘Dynamite’ appeared to be on the brink of a famous win when he decked Usyk with a body shot, but it was ruled a low blow. Now he must start to rebuild again, with a bout vs ‘Big Baby’ Miller in Riyadh.
Frank Sanchez (23-0) vs Junior Fa (20-2)
That incredible Riyadh card features YET ANOTHER major heavyweight contender in the shape of ‘Cuban Flash’ Sanchez. Frank has looked mighty impressive in building a perfect 23-0 resume so far, including a highly competent defeat of another exciting young heavy in Efe Ajagba in October 2021. Now Sanchez gets a chance to feature on another major card with a showdown vs Fa – who has dropped two of his last three in defeats to Parker and Lucas Browne.
Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-0) vs Agit Kabayel (23-0)
ANOTHER huge heavyweight showdown on that monumental card between two contenders in boxing’s marquee weight class. Both men are unbeaten and looking to take the next step on their journey to potential title shots.
