Anthony Joshua was in a bullish mood at the face-off event for his upcoming clash with Otto Wallin on Wednesday, and sent the Swede an ominous warning.
Joshua was named as part of an A-list card featuring the likes of rival Deontay Wilder and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who will take on the American in Saudi Arabia.
Wilder exclusively revealed to Mail Sport that Joshua had turned down a £40million offer to face him, but claimed that the two-time champion’s management team ‘held him back’ from the potential clash.
It proved to be an eventful evening for the British heavyweight, who was seen trading insults with Jarrell Miller over how he would fare against Wilder, as well as snubbing questions from a rival promoter’s PR man.
Yet his exchange with Wallin was equally attention-grabbing, with Joshua telling his opponent he will ‘f**k him up’ next month.
You don’t control your business no? He’s representing you, and you don’t know what he’s doing here?’ began Joshua in his bullish rant.
‘Good luck anyway – I will f**k you up December 23rd. I promise you. Trust me.
‘Don’t shake my hand after as well if you’re talking s**t. Don’t shake my hand after.’
Wallin boasts a 26-1 record, losing just the once by unanimous decision against Tyson Fury back in September 2019 in Las Vegas.
The 32-year-old is a tough costumer, though, with the southpaw leaving Fury needing 42 stitches above his eye despite the result not going his way.
Joshua and Wallin is a rematch of their two amateur bouts – won by Joshua in 2010 and 2011 – and will be a tough fight for the Brit as he looks to make it three for three over the Swede.
The Briton has long been linked to a potential fight against Wilder, with his promoter Eddie Hearn claiming in September that Joshua was going to ‘knock out Deontay Wilder’ in a prediction hyping up the performance of his boxer.
But fans were disappointed to see Wilder and Joshua both making it onto the December 23 card – but facing different opposition.
Joshua was quick to respond to Miller teasing, and snapped back: ‘Shut the f*** up.
‘Miller, don’t start with me. You know I’ll come over and slap you.’
The 34-year-old added: ‘I see you’ve brought your mum here, she needs her rent paid.
‘You’re not doing nothing to me. Watch your mouth, or I’ll slap it for you.’
