Anthony Joshua faces his toughest test of the year in Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin, a win propelling him to a long-awaited mega-fight with fellow former champion Deontay Wilder.
Despite what’s on offer should he be victorious, ‘AJ’ will not be overlooking Wallin, who almost upset Tyson Fury’s plans a few years back before ultimately losing a tough-fought unanimous decision.
An intriguing thread to the narrative of the fight is that Joshua will not utilise the services of Derrick James, the Texan trainer who has overseen his two comeback wins this year against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.
Instead, and reportedly for one-fight logistical reasons, the Brit teams up with ex Fury coach Ben Davison, who’s last fight in ‘The Gypsy King’s corner was against Wallin.
Speaking to Seconds Out, super-middleweight world champion turned pundit George Groves said he was intrigued by the link up.
“I’m not sure the situation why there was a change of trainer whether it was a logistical problem or an actual problem, but Ben Davison is a very good trainer. A very, very good trainer.
He’s worked with a lot of good fighters at the highest level and I’m sure he’ll want to bring a little something to Joshua, but he’s a clever enough trainer to know that he doesn’t have to make wholesale changes or reinvent the wheel. Joshua the same – he’s been through the mill, he’s vastly experience, he knows what works for him. It could be a really good link up. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.”
Whilst ‘Saint’ George believes Wallin’s lefty stance could pose some problems, he said he can’t see by a Joshua win.
“Otto Wallin might be a tricky, tough fight. Usyk was a tricky character, and maybe Otto Wallin, another southpaw, could be a tricky fight. I can’t see anything apart from a Joshua win, but you never know.”
The fight takes place in Saudi Arabia on December 23, joined by Deontay Wilder-Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois-Jarrell Miller.
