The plan for Anthony Joshua to fight Deontay Wilder next has been upended after Wilder suffered a shock defeat against Joseph Parker; But after his win over Otto Wallin, Joshua could still be on for a return to championship level boxing in 2024 against Filip Hrgovic
The plan was clear. Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder were boxing on the same bill on Saturday, with a view to matching them against one another next year, potentially as soon as March.
All they needed to do was win. Joshua did that when he battered and outclassed Otto Wallin, who was hauled out after five rounds of the fight.
America’s Wilder though suffered an upset defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker.
“Throughout the whole build-up I was telling everyone I need to focus on the man in front of me because I respect what he’s bringing to the table,” Joshua pointed out after his victory over Wallin.
Wilder was taking on a tougher assignment with his fight, boxing a fellow former world titlist Joseph Parker.
But where the American surprised was with the lack of urgency in his performance. He let Parker chalk up round after round and, rather than doing the damage with his famed power-punching, if anything it was Parker who landed the more hurtful shots overall.
