Exclusive: Otto Wallin in ‘really good place’ to beat ‘not at his peak’ Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia

Otto Wallin has declared he is in a “really good place” to beat Anthony Joshua, who he says is “not at his peak”.

Wallin will fight Joshua at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ in Saudi Arabia on December 23.

It will be Joshua’s first fight since a knockout win over Robert Helenius in August, while Wallin beat Murat Gassiev in September.

Asked by TNT Sports whether he thinks this is a risky fight for Joshua to be taking on, Wallin said: “Yeah I think so. I think it’s perfect for me.

“I am coming off a great win, best win of my life, and now right back in there to fight AJ. I think I’m in a really good place and he is not at his peak.

“He is coming off a good win against Helenius but he was supposed to win that. I think I am in a really good position and I don’t think the same for him.

“I am going to do whatever it takes to win. I have been working for this my whole life and I am ready for it.”

But the Swedish fighter looks as though he could be a tough opponent.

He came close to an upset win against Fury, who he cut early in the fight, and says he has learnt plenty from that experience with the “best heavyweight in the world”.

“It was a great experience. There were a lot of things I did well in that fight but some things I know I can do better and I have been worked on.

“I am more experienced now and more seasoned. In that fight I blew a bit too much steam in the first six rounds and couldn’t keep it up. That’s something I have been working on and I feel much more ready now.

“That was my breakout fight. It was a close fight, unfortunately I lost. It could have been stopped as he had two pretty bad cuts. If you ask me I would have liked it to be stopped, but he is a good fighter and showed a lot of heart. I respect him but I would love to win this fight and fight Fury again.”

Wallin says he feels like an improved fighter four years on from his only defeat.

“For sure. I have had four more years of training, and now you get all the motivation in the world, fighting Joshua on the biggest stage.

“It’s amazing, I feel so happy. I have worked so hard over the years and over the last couple of years I couldn’t get any fights, made no money, just go into the gym every day. I am really happy, I kept training and working hard and I knew my shot would come and it’s finally here.”

Deontay Wilder will take on Joseph Parker on the same bill in Riyadh.

Looking ahead to that contest, Wallin said: “I think Fury is the best heavyweight in the world.

“He didn’t look great last time but I am sure he had his reasons. I favour him against Usyk. I think Fury is the best. I gave him a good fight and I am going to show Joshua I am a really high-level fighter and I am going to beat him.”

On Saturday 23 December, fight fans will witness boxing’s greatest champions, head-to-head in what promises to be an action-filled night of entertainment, as part of Riyadh Season. In a UK broadcast first “Day of Reckoning” will be available live on both DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office for fans to watch in the UK and Ireland.

“Day of Reckoning” costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched through DAZN or TNT Sports Box Office and is available via the DAZN app on Smart TVs, streaming sticks, tablets, laptops and game consoles, Virgin Media TV, Sky and EE TV.

DAZN customers can purchase the fight on www.DAZN.com or via the DAZN app, accessed on their Smart TVs, streaming sticks, laptop, tablets, mobiles and games consoles.

Virgin Media TV customers in the UK: customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View Events rail.

EE TV customers can go to channel 495 and pay using their remote control.