Anthony Joshua says there is ‘no future’ without Otto Wallin win on ‘best fight card in history’ at Day of Reckoning

Anthony Joshua believes his future depends on beating Otto Wallin on Saturday night as the fighters on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card weighed in.

Following successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua recovered with victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius earlier this year, and is eyeing another win on his comeback trail against Wallin – with some mouthwatering match-ups rumoured for 2024.

However, speaking at Friday’s weigh-in, Joshua remains focused on Saturday’s fight and knows that without dispatching the Swede, he might not have a future in the sport.

“As I always say, let me focus on what I’ve got to focus on,” he told TNT Sports. “Without Saturday night there is no future.

“Saturday night, as I’ve been saying all week, that’s been my main focus. Whatever happens in the ring, that’s where my heart is. I need to get this win.”

On the event in Riyadh, Joshua added: “This is the best fight card in history and I’m here with you guys. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world right now.

“If my prayers are answered I’ll get the win. I’ve been focussed, praying hard and whatever god wants from me, I’ll follow that path, who knows? I’m making sure it’s not just prayer, I’m following up by action as well.”

Wallin, who went the distance with Tyson Fury in 2019, was confident of providing an upset when quizzed over his blueprint to beat Joshua.

“I think by being myself,” he answered. “I’m a smart fighter, I’m a southpaw, I’ve trained for this moment for a very, very long time. I’m very much ready for it.

“We see tomorrow. All I know is tomorrow there’s going to be a new king and he’s from Sweden.”

A win for Joshua would likely see him face Wilder, who is in the co-main event against Parker.

Wilder arrived at the scales with his hands unusually wrapped, before weighing in at 213 pounds on the nose and giving himself a new nickname.

“I’m not going to disappoint you,” Wilder said in a message to his fans. “I come to bring the pain, I come to bring the excitement.

“Like I always say, don’t blink, baby. Because bam baby goodnight. My new nickname is Dr. Sleep and I’m adopting that name. I told him [Parker] to bring a pillow and bring a blanket because it gets chilly over here. I can’t wait.”

Former world champion Parker, who is a training partner and friend of Fury, revealed what advice the WBC heavyweight champion gave him.

“Don’t get hit with the right hand and don’t get knocked out,” he said. “We’re here, we’re ready, and we can’t wait.

“I’m going to be aggressive, I’m going to go in there and execute the plan, follow the strategies and get the win.”

Arthur is another Brit involved in Saturday’s blockbuster event and is fighting for the light-heavyweight title against the reigning champion Dmitry Bivol.

The Brit said the fight could be a “battle of the jabs”, but Bivol, who is returning from a lengthy absence after wins over Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez in 2022, is ready to put on a show.

“I feel fresh physically and mentally, and now I just want to fight,” he told TNT Sports. “I feel the smell of the fight now.”

Dubois and Jarrell Miller had to be separated after a heated exchange when they faced off on stage, with Miller weighing in at a monstrous 333 pounds.

The American has tried to intimidate Dubois in the week leading up to the clash, but the British fighter seemed to shrug it off.

“None of it [has bothered him], I’m ready to fight,” Dubois said. “I’ll see him in the ring, I’m ready for it.”

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren fancies his fighter to come through the test but expects an epic bout.

“To me, it’s a really, really intriguing fight,” he predicted. “It’s 50/50 on paper but I think he wins it, our man [Dubois]. One thing is for sure, you will not be able to take your eyes off it.

“He’s been hunting him down, looking to throw those bombs. Both of them have to prove a point, both of them. The winner goes up, the loser – where does he go? Everything’s on the line.”

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