The pressure is on for British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua as he prepares to face off against Swedish heavyweight contender Otto Wallin on December 10th. Having suffered two consecutive defeats – a 2022 rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk and a shock TKO defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 – Joshua is acutely aware that another stumble could spell disaster for his boxing career.
Joshua declared at a recent press conference that thhis is an important moment in his career, if he loses here it would leave him with very little room for change. He mentioned that he would be in a very unstable place. He stated, “I wouldn’t say there would be no future, but it would be a very hard road back.”
The 33-year-old Joshua, once considered the undisputed king of the heavyweight division, has seen his aura of invincibility fade in recent years. His defeats have exposed vulnerabilities in his boxing style, particularly his susceptibility to counter-punching and his struggles against southpaw stances.
On the other hand, Wallin is a dangerous underdog who has nothing to lose for himself. His unorthodox fighting technique and unrelenting pressure have earned him a reputation as a southpaw fighter who is 32 years old. During the year 2019, he is infamous for giving Tyson Fury a scare by causing a big cut over Fury’s eye, which required 47 stitches to repair.
While Wallin may not possess the raw power of a Usyk or Ruiz Jr., his unorthodox approach and hunger for victory could pose a serious threat to Joshua’s fragile confidence. A defeat to Wallin would not only extend Joshua’s losing streak but would also cast serious doubt on his ability to ever regain his former world champion status.
Joshua admitted that “Otto Wallin is a tough, experienced fighter who is coming here to take my head off. I have to be 100% focused and prepared, or I’ll get punished.”
The pressure on Joshua is palpable. Not only is his boxing career on the line, but he also faces intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. Some have questioned his commitment to the sport, while others have suggested that his best days are behind him.
However, Joshua remains defiant. He insists that he has learned from his past mistakes and is determined to prove his doubters wrong.
Joshua vowed that he was not yet finished. On the tenth of December, he will demonstrate to the entire world what he is capable of. He mentioned that this is his fight to make a comeback.
Whether Joshua is able to put an end to his detractors and rekindle his career is something that remains to be seen. If there is one thing that is clear, it is that the fight that will take place on December 10th against Otto Wallin will be a turning point for the former heavyweight champion. In light of the fact that his future is uncertain, the entire world will be waiting with bated breath to see which course of action he decides to take.