On December 23, a powerful boxing tournament was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There are some great heavyweight fights and title bouts on the card. And what really matters is the confrontation between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. Their fights were already big events, but there were also enough high-profile meetings.

But let’s talk about the main fight of the tournament. It took a long time to decide who would have the right to be the main show of the night, what kind of fight it would be. Wilder or Joshua? Obviously, the main organizers Matchroom boxing put forward the main clash between Anthony and Swede Otto Wallin.

Joshua is on schedule. And he’s still searching for himself.

Anthony Joshua has fallen apart after two straight losses to Alexander Usik. After the rematch, he asked the Ukrainian: “You are so small, how did you beat me?” asked. And then he decided he had it figured out; He promised to give more shows and fights than boxing.

It cannot be said that before this Anthony’s style was only in reasonable boxing. He became the most popular precisely because of his outstanding performances, knockouts and not worrying about missed blows. After Ruiz and the two Whiskers, there was definitely some experimentation.

The return was mediocre. The Briton struggled with Jermaine Franklin throughout the match, got upset and started fighting with almost the entire opposing team. But after that everything went better because Joshua followed the plan – 3 fights a year and no less.

The second was Robert Helenius. Not the most anticipated option. Because before that he had been knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder and Joshua had little chance of making it any more epic. He didn’t do that, he took a different approach but still got the knockout. In third place was Otto Wallin.

Wallin was still talking about his loss to Fury. Then everyone expected that the Swede would quickly lose, but he showed himself well, although he lost completely. And his defeat still stands as a positive moment in his career.

The real positive was that Murat Gassiev was defeated in 2023. The knocked out man couldn’t do anything. Otto moved perfectly and did not give his opponent a chance to reach, reach or hit him.

Finally, at the end of 2023, the promoter got what he wanted for Wallin. I talked about his big fight for so long that I finally got a positive result – I received a contract to fight Joshua.

Seriously, not a very cool option for Anthony. A nimble and neat left-hander is not something the Briton enjoys. But perhaps he’s right, as he takes it upon himself to prove that Usik is better than he lets on. Moreover, Joshua himself was extremely confident.

It was interesting to see whether Fury’s former trainer Ben Davison, with whom Joshua began to collaborate, found anything new for the boxer. Eddie Hearn said yes. He said Anthony was incredible during practice; just like five or six years ago. But this is the promoter who signed Anthony to a lifetime contract. What else can you expect from him? No one could answer these questions more honestly than the ring.

And the ring answered. This time the odds are clearly in Anthony Joshua’s favor. In the end, it’s very clearly in Anthony Joshua’s favor.

The Briton’s previous fights did not raise questions, but rather unpleasant feelings. The guy tried and tried but the result was extremely average and uninteresting. Like the fight against Jermaine Franklin. It’s unclear what happened in the ring and a confrontation with the team ensued.

Or a duel against Robert Helenius. Everything seemed fine; victory by knockout. However, it is not clear what happened before that. Missed shots, pressing too slowly. In the end it was all over and there was just a clear, genuine Joshua against a very good opponent who couldn’t do anything.

Anthony Joshua showed from the first seconds that he would not mess with his opponent. The right hand came in instantly and the precise strike penetrated the defense between the gloves, which Wallin certainly felt. Just like his nose, which immediately started to turn red.

Joshua got better with each round, becoming not just more active but more accurate. He pressed, he walked forward, he struck and he struck. In return, he did not allow himself to be beaten. There were a few things that were missed, but they are all incomparable.

The fourth and fifth rounds are usually a full fight. Joshua has occasionally turned on the power that forces his opponent to suffer, escape and fight back. The last two points didn’t work but there was no other option.

Luckily Wallin rolled over. There is nothing special to highlight in his boxing. He was outmaneuvered cleanly and expertly by a better and even bigger opponent, who took it and broke it. I fell for the favorite – it happens.

What will happen now?

Joshua was supposed to fight against Wilder but now the chances of that fight are minimal. One of the conditions of the Saudi organizers was that Wilder and Joshua win on December 23. Joshua won, Wilder lost. Maybe after a while, but Deontay is 38 and doesn’t have much time.

There are also ranking options – Zhang Zhilei and Filip Hrgovic. Until Usyk and Fury meet, neither of them will get a title shot. Both are supported by Anthony Joshua in the WBO and IBF rankings. The Briton himself has said he would be interested in becoming world champion again, although he does not believe in an outright title.

Another option is Joseph Parker. Beat Wilder, why not? Really why? Now perhaps Parker will be one of the contenders or close to it via the WBC. They had boxed before and Anthony had won. Both have gone through difficult career phases and changed.

This is not only interesting, but also a fair option. However, after such a display, the choice will be Anthony Joshua.

Author – Lev Kravtsiv