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Moments before making the walk to the ring in Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua saw his hopes for a big money fight with Deontay Wilder almost certainly evaporate when Wilder lost a one-sided decision to Joseph Parker. Joshua did not make the same misstep as Wilder, dominating Otto Wallin for five rounds before Wallin’s corner called off the bout.
Joshua and Wilder were the co-headliners for “Day of Reckoning,” which was a loaded card with the primary aim of leading to Joshua vs. Wilder in a two-fight series in 2024. While Wilder’s loss likely tanks those plans, Joshua will enter the new year with plenty of momentum and looking to do big things.
Wallin never really got in the fight, struggling to get past Joshua’s jab and right hand to do any meaningful work.
Joshua, to his credit, seemed to have gone back to his more aggressive style of years past, using heavy shots and forcing Wallin onto the back foot at every turn.
In Round 5, Joshua landed a heavy right hand followed by a left hook that sent Wallin stumbling. Joshua tried to pile on the big shots to get the stoppage, but Wallin was able to survive to the bell.
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Wallin didn’t look entirely steady going back to his corner and it took just a matter of seconds for his corner to waive off the fight, awarding Joshua a fifth-round TKO.
“I wasn’t watching [Wilder’s loss],” Joshua said after the fight. “I just focus on myself. I knew how important this fight was for me. I heard Deontay lost, so what? I’m sure he’ll come back. … Deontay? Everything he said about me, I could rip him apart right now but I’ll take the high ground.”
Joshua wasn’t fully ready to write off a 2024 bout with Wilder, however, especially with WBC champion Tyson Fury and unified WBO, WBA and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk likely set to occupy each other’s time for the coming year.
“No, listen. Look at [Daniel] Dubois this evening,” Joshua said. “He’s come back. You can do anything. If he wants, he can come back and fight another day. It’s up to him. I’m sure everybody still wants to see that fight.”
CBS Sports was with you all night with the live results and highlights below.
Fight card, results
- Anthony Joshua def. Otto Wallin via fifth-round TKO
- Joseph Parker def. Deontay Wilder via unanimous decision (118-111, 118-110, 120-108)
- Dmitry Bivol (c) def. Lyndon Arthur via unanimous decision (120-107, 120-107, 120-107)
- Daniel Dubois def. Jarrell Miller via 10th-round TKO
- Agit Kabayel def. Arslanbek Makhmudov via fourth-round TKO
- Jai Opetaia def. Ellis Zorro via first-round knockout
- Filip Hrgovic def. Mark De Morio via first-round TKO
- Frank Sanchez def. Junior Fa via seventh-round TKO
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