Author: Sean Close
“Wallin is a tough guy,” former world heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua told Laura Woods in an interview. TNT boxing. “He’s never been stopped. He’s never been injured. He’s very durable. Yeah, he’s going to be in the fight,” Joshua said in a Dec. 23 bout in Saudi Arabia. It has achieved great results. Joshua’s opponent that night, heavyweight contestant Otto Wallin, gave Tyson Fury everything Fury could when the two met a few years ago. Additionally, people still have doubts about Joshua after he lost two of his last three fights to Oleksandr Usyk, a skilled walking Ukrainian with gloves on.
“I feel like a lot of people doubt how good I am, but I’m going to show them how good I am,” the Londoner said. Not that long ago, Joshua was considered the man to beat at heavyweight. Undefeated, hard-hitting and popular, the British fighter had the chiseled look and confidence of a true powerhouse. However, due to complicated circumstances, Joshua never faced WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in the ring. It turned out to be unfortunate in many ways. Not only did the world miss out on seeing two super heavyweights fight, but Joshua lost his title belt to Usyk.
If Joshua and Fury had actually been able to fight as planned, boxing would have had a true king of the heavyweight division, one champion who owns every major belt. Fury will face Usyk for his crown. That was one of the reasons Joshua relented right after losing to Usyk for the second time. “I wasn’t in the undisputed race anymore,” Joshua recalled. “I wasn’t a champion, so it was like a huge feeling. I don’t know how to explain it, but something came over me, and it’s just passion…a lot of emotions. A lot of emotions. .”
Fortunately, Joshua seems to be in a better place now. Or he, he at least knows how to put himself in a better situation. First, the man realized the reality of his situation. “That’s not going to happen anymore,” he said of his chance to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. “I think that’s just the reality.” He’s probably right. Fury and Usyk signed for a rematch after their first fight. Additionally, the organizations behind major titles have their own objectives that often contradict each other. In other words, Fury or Usyk will likely end up stripped of their titles for defending another title.
“I think it’s probably going to take five or six years,” Joshua said of the time it will take to get all the belts. “You probably won’t meet my deadline.” Again, Joshua is probably right. After all, he’s already 34 years old. Still, the man seemed willing to be interviewed by Wood, which was nice to see. “I’m over it now,” he said of the bitter situation. You can aim to become a champion. ” Sure enough, Joshua wants to hold the world title again. Additionally, there are plenty of high-profile opponents he will face, with Fury and former WBC titlist Deontay Wilder being just two.
“I did something cold when I was champion, so now I take that pressure off of myself,” he said. “The best healer is time. Just give it time and everything will be fine.” Perhaps there will even be a time to fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship when it’s all said and done. After all, the sport of boxing isn’t full of surprises, but it appears Joshua has a more concrete goal now. “It’s all fun,” he said of the possibilities in front of him. “But I want to be world heavyweight champion. That’s my main focus.”
