Anthony Joshua Vs Otto Wallin Tips
Anthony Joshua Vs Otto Wallin Tips
Anthony Joshua takes on Otto Wallin in the headline fight on the “Day of Reckoning” on what should be a cracking Saturday of boxing in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua has made his way back from a pair of defeats to Oleksandr Usyk to beat Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, and the Briton is looking to get back into world title contention.
Wallin has just one defeat on his card, which came against the elite-level Tyson Fury in 2019, and the Swedish slugger will be aiming to land the biggest victory of his career.
Tip 1 - Otto Wallin to beat Anthony Joshua @ 3/1
Joshua is the correct favourite for the Saudi showdown, but offers of 27/100 look far too short.
AJ has recovered from a pair of defeats to Usyk to beat Helenius and Franklin this year, but those are two low-level operators and Joshua still has plenty to prove.
The Watford heavyweight has lost three of his last seven fights and hasn’t put in a convincing performance since he beat Alexander Povetkin in 2018.
Joshua was dominated and crushed twice by Usyk, was dropped and stopped by Andy Ruiz, and the 2017 victory over Wladimir Klitschko, could have easily gone the way of the Ukrainian veteran.
A unanimous-decision victory in the rematch against Ruiz was also far from convincing. The wins over Helenius and Franklin came in what was basically a pair of no contests and that leaves a stoppage victory over a 39-year-old Kubrat Pulev in 2020 as the highlight of the last four years of Joshua’s career.
Find our tips for the other fight: Deontay Wilder Vs Joseph Parker here
There also have to be concerns on Joshua’s approach, mindset and training camp. AJ appears to change his tactics and strategy on a fight-by-fight basis and often with limited success.
The British banger opted to attempt to outbox one of the most technically gifted performers in the sport when tackling Usyk for the first time and that was a bizarre tactical decision.
Joshua is at his best when he uses his power, strength and athleticism to dominate and hurt his opponents. Perhaps it’s the change of tactics, or maybe a lack of confidence after the Ruiz defeat for the Brit’s far from stellar performances, while there is even a chance that the Watford heavyweight’s physical prowess has faded now at the age of 34. Whatever the cause, Joshua hasn’t looked like the fighter of old and Wallin could take advantage.
Backing Joshua to win? Check out the odds here
The Swedish southpaw arrives in Saudi Arabia after an excellent victory over Murat Gassiev, one of 26 wins from his 27 fights, against that solitary defeat on his record.
There is no disgrace in that loss as it came in 2019 against Tyson Fury, a fighter Joshua will have eyes on should he come through this contest. Given the Briton’s recent history, Wallin looks good to pull off a shock and stop Joshua in his tracks.
