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Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin: UK start time as next fight CONFIRMED for December – full card details for big Saudi show

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ANTHONY JOSHUA got back in the win column last time out against Robert Helenius – but now he must focus on his next challenge.

AJ is looking to build himself up again following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, and has done so with victories over the dangerous Finn and Jermaine Franklin.

Next up is Otto Wallin, the man who left Tyson Fury with 47 stitches above his eye during their close encounter four years ago.

Wallin, 32, has won all of his fights since, but hasn’t looked anywhere near the threat he did that evening in Las Vegas.

Joshua could be elevated into a mandatory position to fight for the IBF title with a win over the Swedish southpaw.

Having struggled with lefties in the past, however, Joshua will need to be on his A-game against Wallin if he wants to fight for a world title again.

Full card details

Anthony-Joshua 2

The card is going to be a massive one, packed with heavyweight bust-ups.

Deontay Wilder is fighting Joseph Parker in the co-main event, while Daniel Dubois is also going to be in action.

Dubois will take on former drug cheat Jarrell Miller, who was supposed to fight AJ back in June 2019.

What TV channel is it on?

A TV channel and streaming service for the huge event has yet to be announced.

Check back at SunSport for all the latest details.

What is the PPV price?

Fans have been left delighted with the PPV price for the huge Saudi event which involves Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

Boxing lovers in the UK will have to pay £19.99 while US viewers are set to be charged $39.99.

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BOXING

Joshua Plans to Re-enact Ali/Foreman’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’

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anthony joshua

Anthony Joshua could revisit the Rumble in the Jungle as part of an “iconic” bout around the 50th anniversary of the legendary fight, says Eddie Hearn.

Promoter Hearn says talks have taken place over the heavyweight contender fighting in Africa, and that government backing for an event is available.

Joshua, 34, has Nigerian ancestry but has never fought on the continent.

“It’s something that would be iconic for the sport,” Hearn told BBC World Service’s Newsday of the proposals.

“When we’re visiting these countries, there’s government funding to stage these events.

“Sometimes that isn’t forthcoming in all areas but there have been discussions and I think it will happen in time.”

Muhammad Ali and George Foreman contested the heavyweight world championship in Zaire – now Democratic Republic of Congo – in October 1974 in one of the greatest fights of all time.

Both men were champions during the long careers that made them legends, with Ali knocking out Foreman in the eighth round to win the WBA, WBC and Ring titles.

Joshua held the WBA belt for a combined total of almost four years and has been IBF, WBO and IBO champion, although he is currently aiming to win back the titles he failed to regain from Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in August 2022.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua: This Isn’t My Final Destination; This Is My First Stop

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has never been more confident that his best years are ahead.

The claim will likely be met with a collective eye roll but the former two-time unified heavyweight titlist is brimming with confidence in what has become his most active ring campaign in seven years. Watford’s Joshua is set for his third fight of 2023, which will come versus Sweden’s Otto Wallin on December 23 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“This isn’t a one-stop shop. There’s a road map with check points,” Joshua said of the upcoming crossroads bout. “This isn’t my final destination; this is my first stop. December 23 I’ll deliver that message. I’ll be on my way to bigger and better in 2024. I’m fully focused on this fight.

“I’m determined to win and determined to get back to my peak, if that’s what they want to call it.”

Joshua (26-3, 22KOs) vowed all year to fight as often as possible, to rebuild towards a third heavyweight title run. He entered 2023 on the heels of back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14KOs), first to end his WBA, IBF and WBO title reign in September 2021 and again in their rematch last August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Two wins have since followed, both on home soil including a seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius on August 12 at The O2 in London.

Joshua will return to Saudi Arabia for the first time since the repeat loss to Usyk. The nation has also been kind to his career; it was where he regained his unified heavyweight titles in a December 2019 points win over Andy Ruiz to avenge his first pro defeat six months prior to their rematch.

It will now host possibly his next few fights. It is widely believed that Joshua’s placement on the December 23 super show—which also features Deontay Wilder-Joseph Parker and four other heavyweight fights—is part of a multi-fight deal. It is further speculated that wins by Joshua and Wilder will set up a potential two-fight series between the pair of former heavyweight titlsts.

Joshua and Wallin are also ranked high enough by the IBF to where the winner could challenge for the vacant title should it become available sometime after the undisputed heavyweight championship between Usyk and lineal/WBC champ Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24KOs) on February 17 also in Saudi Arabia.

“I can’t predict the future but I know what I where I want to go and what I want to do,” stated Joshua, who was noncommittal on future plans beyond the Wallin fight. “I set out with a plan of what I wanted to do this year.

“I’m sticking to that plan. I’m a man of word. I stand firm on what I believe and I believe I’m going to be a three-time heavyweight champion of the world. My first stop to that is put on a demolishing job against Otto Wallin.”

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BOXING

Joseph Parker has the KO power needed to deliver a stunning win over Deontay Wilder, says promoter David Higgins

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Deontay Wilder

Joseph Parker faces Deontay Wilder on a big heavyweight bill in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 23, which also features Britain’s Anthony Joshua against Otto Wallin and a crop of contenders from the top division

Joseph Parker has the superior speed and boxing skills needed to deliver a stunning knockout win over Deontay Wilder, says his promoter David Higgins.

The New Zealander has been confirmed as the next opponent for Wilder on a big heavyweight bill in Saudi Arabia, which also features Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin on December 23.

Wilder has earned a reputation as the most destructive puncher in the top division, but Higgins insists that Parker is capable of delivering a sensational win following last month’s ruthless stoppage of Simon Kean.

“It was a fantastic performance by Joseph Parker,” Higgins told Sky Sports.

“He showed he was explosive and showed great power. Simon Kean was a big guy and Joseph knocked him out with an uppercut. It was his third victory this calendar year and Deontay Wilder will be the fourth. We like the momentum that Joseph has heading into this massive opportunity in Saudi Arabia.

“Any heavyweight can knock out a heavyweight. Joseph has got over 20 knockouts on his resume. Wilder has got a huge punch, one of the biggest in history, but Joseph does have some advantages. He is the better boxer, he’s quicker. It’s naive to write anyone off.

“Joseph was a world champion, so was Wilder. Wilder may have a massive punch, but outside of that, he’s not as well developed as Joseph. It’s a winnable fight for Joseph Parker, if he brings his A-game and we see the best Joseph Parker on the night.”

“Yeah I do [believe Parker can stop Parker]. He put Chisora down a few times with the uppercut. It’s all about connecting with a well-timed punch. Of course he can knock out Deontay Wilder.”

Parker’s reign as the WBO champion was ended by a points loss to Joshua in 2018, but the 31-year-old remains eager to face the British star again in a rematch.

“Victory will catapult him right up back to the top of the conversation,” said Higgins.

“He could credibly ask for a rematch with Anthony Joshua for example, but also challenge for a world title in 2024.”

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BOXING

Robert Garcia Details Why Terence Crawford And Jermell Charlo Would Be The “Perfect Fight”

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terance crawford

Terence Crawford has plenty of exciting opponents lined up for him. A rematch against Errol Spence Jr., a possible super-fight against Canelo Alvarez, and an opportunity to be a world champion in yet another division by potentially facing Jermell Charlo. In the past, ‘Bud,’ has been vocal about his interest to face ‘Saul,’ at a catch weight but Robert Garcia is not too keen on it.

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According to him, a bout with ‘Saul,’ may not be a wise move. Moreover, he would like to see ‘Bud,’ face Jermell Charlo instead. Why does he say so?

Should Crawford face Charlo instead of Alvarez?

Charlo is a champion in only one weight class above the former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford. Garcia thinks the Charlo-Crawford bout would be more fairly matched up. However, he thinks the interest in this potential fight might have abated after the Super-welterweight champion suffered a defeat against Canelo Alvarez.

While speaking to FightHubTV, he stated, “That would be the perfect fight. But Because of Charlo’s last performance, even Crawford said, I don’t even want to fight you. Just the way he fought against Canelo. Kind of does hurt a little. But he is a good sell fighter, it’s a big fight. I think that’s the fight Crawford should take and Charlo, he’s the champion so why wouldn’t he? That would be a great fight.”

Terence Crawford

The fight between Charlo and Crawford would definitely attract interest. But the legendary boxer does not shy from being brutal in his assessment of Charlo’s loss in his last fight.

Garcia gets brutally honest about Charlo’s last fight

Charlo lost his last bout via a unanimous decision against, ‘Saul,’ and also suffered a knockdown. Over a month later, Garcia revealed that he was disappointed by Charlo’s performance and did not shy away from making it evident. In the same interview, he stated, “He saw Canelo in front of him and probably felt a few punches, he decided to survive. I don’t blame him. But, we were not happy. I was a little disappointed.”

Charlo may have attracted criticism but he continues to be a notable boxer. Moreover, if a bout with Crawford does eventually take place, we are curious to know, what are your opinions on this match-up. Share with us in the comments below.

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BOXING

Derrick James Says Errol Spence Being Weight-Drained ‘Wasn’t the Issue’ Against Crawford

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errol and terence

The trainer of former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. denies that weight issues were the cardinal problem in his client’s disastrous outing against Terence Crawford.

Spence, of Desoto, Texas, lost his three 147-pound belts to Omaha, Nebraska’s Crawford in July via stoppage in the ninth round of their welterweight undisputed championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

What many expected to be a competitive affair turned out to be a one-sided drubbing.

After the fight, there was intense speculation that Spence was diminished by his attempt to make the 147-pound limit; Spence, 33, has been a welterweight his entire career.

Spence himself suggested that making the welterweight limit had taken a toll on his body going into the Crawford fight and that he would look forward to participating in a rematch at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds.

Terence Crawford

But in a recent interview, Spence’s longtime coach, Derrick James, rejected the notion that the weight cut was the main culprit behind Spence’s disappointing performance. James seemed to indicate that Crawford, under the stewardship of his trainer Brian “Bomac” McIntyre, simply out-maneuvered Spence on that night.

“You’ll see him [in the rematch], he won’t be so drained he won’t be so depleted or whatever,” James told FightHubTV. “You know, that wasn’t the issue. Crawford fought a good fight. Crawford had a great game plan, right. So, you’re talking about this [Crawford’s] coach, he was the better guy that day.”

Although Spence activated his rematch clause with Crawford, it is not entirely clear when that fight will take place.

Asked about details regarding the status of the rematch, James demurred.

“I don’t know anything about it. Nothin’” James said.

“That part (weight class) I’m sure they already signed that or whatever,” James added. “But I don’t know anything about that either.”

 

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BOXING

‘Finish this s* now’ – Fascinating corner footage from Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder trilogy bout shows Fury’s trainer inspired brutal KO

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Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury’s exceptional win over Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight has gone down as one of the greatest heavyweight battles of all time.

In the aftermath, broadcaster BT Sport released special footage – including audio – from the corners of both men during the contest, which Fury won via knockout in round 11.

After the opening six minutes of the trilogy bout, the talk from both corners was largely tactical.

In round three though, Fury floored Wilder and this prompted a strong response from the American’s trainer Malik Scott.

Scott told his fighter: “He’s still looking for your jab. Block it with your hand and check it with a hook.”

In the fourth, Wilder turned the fight on its head as he put Fury down twice, and this provoked a different reaction in his corner.

Deontay and Tyson

Scott shouted: “Look at me, it’s time to be very calm and surgical now.”

However, Scott’s advice did not see Wilder score a knockout and instead it was Fury who took control from the fifth onwards.

His coach, SugarHill Steward, bellowed: “You’ve got to just go ahead and do it now. Look at him, he gave it his best shot.”

SugarHill ranted after round seven: “Put your hand out here and guide it, it’s not that hard. Red light, green light.

“Finish this s*** now with your jabs. I’m telling you only one thing – jab. Let the jab go to work.

“Jab the motherf***er man. Just jab the motherf***er goddamnit.

“The simplest s*** in the book.”

When the finish did finally come in round 11, SugarHill jumped in to celebrate with Fury and shouted: “Like the big dogs do!”

It concluded a memorable trilogy, while Ring Magazine voted it ‘Fight of the Year’ in their 2021 awards.

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BOXING

Tyson Fury tipped for Usyk loss – should postpone, says father

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Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury will lose to Oleksandr Usyk unless he changes tactics, according to his father, John Fury.

Fury Sr. commented after witnessing his son struggle against an MMA fighter making his professional debut.

Francis Ngannou dropped Tyson and may have gotten the decision on another night. However, a rematch is the silver lining in an ever-growing cloud around Tyson.

First of all, Fury must follow through on a signed headliner in Saudi Arabia against Usyk. The clash also has a two-way rematch clause.

This means Fury will be out of commission as far as Ngannou for at least a year. Fury is unconcerned about the former UFC champ, though.

The ex-boxer states his son needs to postpone his fight with Usyk to a later date.

Tyson Fury should postpone Usyk fight

“Tyson needs a bit more time to get his conditioning and weight right,’ Fury told Metro and Free Bets UK. “For me, it looked like he had lost 20lbs of muscle last time. Something was wrong.

“For my money, I have seen a bit of decline in his last three fights. It is not a decline in ability but a decline in strength, power, and physical condition.

“I don’t know what they [his team] are doing up there. You have to address it. He didn’t look himself out in Saudi.

“He still won the fight [against Ngannou] because that is what he does best. But the tactics were all wrong for my money, too.

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

“You don’t try to meet an express train head-on, do you? He would have been better boxing off the back foot, slipping and sliding. Against the old Tyson, Ngannou wouldn’t have landed a glove on him.”

Won’t beat Usyk with style

Fury added whether his son has a chance against Usyk without alterations: “The style I am seeing is no good.

“It won’t be any use boxing Usyk like that, just standing in front of him.

“You must be clever and agile, as much as he [Usyk] is. But unless you are trained to do that, what can you say?

“Usyk is nowhere near as big and powerful as Ngannou, one of the world’s hardest punchers. But he is a skillful heavyweight, and they need to practice for that.

“The style Tyson has right now, he wouldn’t have beaten Wladimir Klitschko with that.

“Usyk is a tricky man, and you have to be on your best to beat him. The style he has got now won’t do the trick.

“He has got it in his head. He can knock everyone spark out. But no fighter in the world can keep taking big shots.

“He can’t keep taking them because all of a sudden, a jab can sit you down. You have to be clever. The way he beats Usyk is more brain than brawn.”

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CELEB NEWS

As Tiger Woods Teams Up With Son Charlie Woods Once Again, Will His Four-Year-Long Title Drought Finally Come to an End?

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Charlie Woods and Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods fans are walking on air. First, the 15-time Major winner confirmed his presence at the tournament he hosts on the shores of the West Atlantic. The Hero World Challenge will kick off at the end of this month and run through December 3. Two weeks later, he’ll pair up with his son, Charlie Woods, at the PNC Championship—the tournament where Tiger Woods first ‘unveiled’ his son to the world.

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Woods’ last competitive outing was at the Masters in April, where he had to withdraw with an ankle injury. Notably, it’s been more than three years since the 82-time PGA Tour winner lifted a trophy. But Woods has history by his side at the PNC Championship. The father-son duo almost sniffed victory in 2021 when their title bid was stalled by John Daly and his son, John Daly II. This was followed by an eighth-place finish last year, which was plagued by injury. But this time, both the father and the son are coming back with renewed vigor.

Why is the PNC Championship so special to Tiger Woods?

In the last four years, it seems the PNC Championship is one tournament that the veteran golfer doesn’t want to miss. Last year, around this time, Woods withdrew from the Hero World Challenge in December due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Regardless, he turned up with Jr. Woods at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club a few weeks later. 

If one reason for signing up was the definite father-son bonding that has become the yearly wholesome moment for fans, another was that the PNC Championship allows carts on the greens. which meant a hobbling Woods didn’t have to walk the entire course. This year too, Woods can use a cart should he choose to. But since he has confirmed his presence at the Hero World Challenge before the PNC Championship, he should be able to walk with his son, like he did when caddying for him at the Notah Begay III Junior National Championship.

Woods, during the tournament last year, called their pairings “Team Ice Bath.” Coming from a veteran golfer who was limping on the course, it’s understandable. But why ‘team’ ice bath? Well, Charlie Woods too was not at his hundred percent either. Woods Jr. rolled his ankle, as Notah Begay, a family friend of Tiger Woods, told the press.

CHARLIE WOODS

With both father and son hobbling on the course, the result reflected the effect of injury. Tiger Woods and then 13-year-old Charlie Woods finished in the eighth position on the leaderboard, stumbling from the second spot at the start of the final round. However, a year has changed many things. Woods Jr. is suddenly a grown-up kid who wins individual tournaments and wins big for his school as well. Woods, too, went through surgery and is making two back-to-back appearances within a few weeks.

Can the Woods duo sniff the title this time?

We don’t know how well Woods can play at this moment. All the golf world has seen is him caddying for his son and practicing his swings. However, what we do know is that Charlie Woods is in phenomenal form.

Teenage Woods has been turning heads this season. First, he recorded his career-best performance at the 14–15 age group regional qualifier for the Notah Begay III Junior National Tournament, carding a 66 in the final round with his pop masquerading as his bagman.

A few months later, the teenager added more mementos to his growing trophy cabinet. Charlie Woods was part of the Benjamin School Buccaneers, which won the Florida High School Athletic Association Class A State Championship. Teenage Woods has developed a lot since the time he last played with his father. Don’t be surprised if it’s the ‘cub’ instead of the ‘tiger’ that steals the spotlight.

But Tiger Woods is making his comeback at the Hero World Challenge, first, right?

Yes, Tiger Woods is making his comeback at the tournament he hosts. Yes, this is the first time he’ll return to the tournament after 2019, when he finished in fourth place. Expect him to be fired up? Of course. BUT…. and there is a huge but: the field includes six players from the top ten in the OWGR rankings. Woods himself chose a strong field that is seldom seen in a PGA Tour event outside the Majors.

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CELEB NEWS

Tiger Woods’ Most Important Piece of Advice Stands True Even Today

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Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is finally making a comeback at Albany in the Bahamas. After a long period of seclusion due to his injuries, the golf legend will be swinging his club in the land of the Commonwealth. With that, a piece of his advice gets the spotlight in the golf world.

While golf is a game of golf swings, it is a natural inclination to get swayed by the fancy swings, but for the game, there are other aspects more important than swings, and Woods demonstrated exactly the right way to go about it. So, what is the golf GOAT’s right way of playing golf?

Tiger Woods Crucial Piece of Age-old Advice 

The greatest golfer of all time had shared a piece of advice that was well-received by the golf community fourteen years ago. This very piece of advice holds power even to this day. In an interview session, he talked about how golf doesn’t have a specific way to play. He also appreciated every golfer’s way of playing.

Tiger Woods

Added to that, he talked about the most beautiful part of golf, which is that it can be played in several ways; whatever works for the golfer is the best. He went on to talk about how different body parts can be utilized. “You can play it with hands. You can play it with all body. You can play anywhere in between. … We all have our own finger print. You have to find a system that works best for you.” 

Lastly, he ended the conversation with, “Whatever makes your game better, do it. If you hit the ball better and hit it [more consistently], do it” 

Wise words indeed! Tiger Woods has inspired a generation of budding golfers, and he will continue to do so for generations to come. At the year’s end, Woods will be participating in two back-to-back tournaments. He has finally recovered from the injuries in his right leg that led him to withdraw from the Masters Tournament back in April. The aggravated plantar fasciitis during the third round even made the Hall of Famer undergo subtalar fusion surgery later. But as per recent reports, Woods is healthy, and he is practicing hard for his comeback.

He will make a return in his own event, the Hero World Challenge, scheduled to be played from November 30 to December 3. Last week, he confirmed his participation as the 20th player on the field. After that, he will also be joining his son Charlie Woods at the PNC Championship, hoping to finally grab a win after his 2021 close call, where the duo ended up losing to John Daly and his son. Thus, Woods is evidently running a tough schedule, and his old advice might work wonders for him.

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