24 December 2023 , 08:51
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Anthony Joshua was involved in an awkward discussion over his next opponent after his explosive win over Otto Wallin on Saturday night.
In what was billed as the 'Day of reckoning' in Saudi Arabia, the 34-year-old showed the ruthless form fans had been craving as he dismantled the Swede over the first five rounds. The bell would never go for the sixth, with Wallin's corner opting to withdraw him from the contest to avoid further punishment.
However, provisional plans for the 34-year-old to return to the Middle East to take on Deontay Wilder in March now appear scuppered. Fighting on the same card, Wilder suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker, suffering an unanimous points defeat at the hands of the New Zealander.
And in his post-match press conference, talk inevitably turned to who would now fill the berth for AJ to fight next. Promoter Eddie Hearn implied a fight for the vacant IBF world title with Croatian Filip Hrgovic was now on the cards, before a potentially mouthwatering clash with the winner of the unification bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
"I would love to see him fight Tyson Fury," said Hearn. "If Tyson can beat Oleksandr Usyk, I would love to see that fight. I hope that Tyson can be triumphant - but we'll go away now obviously. Going into tonight we had our plans for March but now we've got to reassess."
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A reporter then addressed Joshua directly, asking if he wanted Fury or Hrgovic next. Initially laughing awkwardly, Joshua replied: "100 per cent Tyson Fury. But I'm not dodging Hrgovic by the way. I'll fight Hrgovic as well."
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Anthony Joshua faced some awkward questions after his boutBut the reporter didn't let things lie there. Also flanking Joshua was trainer Ben Davison, a coach who has previously worked with Fury. The pair split in 2019 after the Gypsy King opted to bring SugarHill Steward on board, a move that saw Davison and Fury part ways.
And referring to a possible fight with Fury, the reporter asked: "Does that put Ben Davison in awkward position?" With Joshua again laughing, his trainer himself took the microphone to state: "Unnecessary question."
Hrgovic, 31, was also on the card on Saturday night. He had an easy night's work, knocking out Australian Mark De Mori in the first round of their fight.