'That's crazy' – Anthony Joshua baffled by Otto Wallin relying on his perceived mental weakness to win

21/12/2023 20:52

Anthony Joshua has told talkSPORT that Otto Wallin is banking on the wrong things heading into their fight.

The heavyweights will clash on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, on the same card as Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker.

It’s known that, should Joshua and Wilder both win, there is a plan in place for them to meet in 2024.

This of course puts added pressure on both men, with AJ’s ability to cope under mental strain already heavily questioned.

One of the main figures asking those questions in the build-up has been his opponent Wallin, who’s even gone as far as to describe Joshua as ‘mentally weak’.

When asked about this, Joshua told talkSPORT: “If that’s what he’s banking on.

“He should be banking on his skills, his skillset.

“He should be banking on the fact he’s worked hard, he trusts his skills and he thinks he’s good enough.

“He shouldn’t be banking on whether I’m mentally strong or not.

“That’s crazy to go into a fight and hope that the fighter you’re fighting isn’t mentally strong and that gives you an opportunity to beat them.

“What I’m banking on is my confidence, my strength, my durability, my chin, my heart, my fitness, my skills.

“It’s nothing to do with Otto.

“Everything I’m banking on is everything to do with me.

“That’s what’s giving me confidence.”

talkSPORT will bring you live radio commentary as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder face a ‘Day of Reckoning’ in an historic boxing show in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.