Only a win will do for the former heavyweight champion, and despite facing a solid challenger in Wallin, he should have enough to get the job done. Four of his last six have gone the distance and Wallin has proven a durable and sturdy operator so it’s a fair bet this will go deep. Wallin is confident, fit and game but has never been the most difficult to hit. Joshua by decision seems the call but a late rounds KO is also very much in play. Getty Images
Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin Joshua by UD
Only a win will do for the former heavyweight champion, and despite facing a solid challenger in Wallin, he should have enough to get the job done. Four of his last six have gone the distance and WallShow more

'Day of Reckoning' predictions: Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder to win in Riyadh



Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua admits his career is on the line when he faces Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Two-time world champion Joshua, who lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and also came up short in a rematch, is fighting on the same card as ex-WBC title holder Deontay Wilder.

The pair could fight next if both are victorious in Riyadh, with Wilder facing New Zealand's former WBO title holder Joseph Parker.

Asked if he might take his eye off the ball given a Wilder fight is in the works, Joshua said he was not thinking beyond Saturday's bout.

"My heart, my soul, every cell in my body is fully focused towards Otto Wallin and doing what I know I can do," the 34-year-old said.

"I know where I'm going in my life. But I've also got to say, this is the checkpoint and if I don't get past this, there is no future.

"So I'm fully locked into Otto Wallin and doing the job."

The Joshua-Wallin fight headlines a stacked eight-fight card in Riyadh. To see our predictions for each of the bouts you can swipe or scroll through the gallery at the top of the page.

Updated: December 22, 2023, 6:59 PM