Heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder believes Otto Wallin has a good shot at shocking former two-time champion Anthony Joshua on December 23 in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua vs. Wallin will headline a big night of boxing. Wilder appears in the co-feature, in a battle of former champions with Joseph Parker.
Should Joshua and Wilder win their respective fights, they are slated to collide in the ring in 2024.
“Otto Wallin has got a huge chance to upset the fight. Everyone has got a chance, it depends what dog they bring to the fight and how hungry he is on the night, even Parker, he has a great deal of a chance, no matter how hard I hit, or what I possess. He has as much chance as I. Because I still have to perform and bring my training and preparation,” Wilder said to Instant Casino.
“What’s at stake for me in this fight is reputation, but we have some big plans moving forward. I know a lot of people are anticipating the biggest fight in world boxing between me and Anthony Joshua. That could be on the line in this fight. That’s the biggest thing of all on the line. Because I want to go into that with a win and I also want him to come into this fight with a win. Because it will make that fight much bigger than if either one of us were to lose. That might jeopardize the fight and lose the interest of that fans. But I don’t want to worry about that, my focus is solely on Joseph Parker.”
Wilder is not pleased with the news of Joshua-Wallin being the main event of the evening.
He believes the fight with Parker, a clash between two ex-beltholders, should have received the top spot on the card.
“I feel I should be the main event. It hasn’t been decided yet who will be the main event, but it will be sorted out soon. Another reason we deserve it is because me and Joseph Parker are former world champions, so why would you not have two former champions as the main event? And then you’ve got the other reasons; the excitement, the explosive knockout power,” Wilder said.
“When people get dressed up and come out they want to see heavyweight knockouts. And what other heavyweight out there can guarantee a knockout other than Deontay Wilder? It all makes sense for me to be the main event. But we’ll see what happens, whether I’m the main event or co-main, it’s going to be a hell of a night and card. This card is stacked and packed with great fighters, but when it comes to dramatic knockouts that leave people with memories to last forever, that’s Deontay Wilder all night.”
Credit: Boxing Scene