Anthony Joshua showcased a return to form, reminiscent of his earlier self, in a dominating performance against Otto Wallin at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Controlling the fight from the start, Joshua used a powerful jab and a mix of head and body punches to overwhelm Wallin. The Swedish fighter, who previously gave Tyson Fury a tough challenge in 2019, had little opportunity as Joshua dictated the pace.
A decisive left hook in the final round likely sealed Wallin's fate, and his trainer, Joey Gamache, decided to stop the fight. Wallin, with cuts below his right eye and on his damaged nose, showed signs of taking too much punishment.
Joshua, with three consecutive victories since his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, including a knockout of Robert Helenius in August, demonstrated one of his best performances. This win positions the 34-year-old Englishman for another shot at a major title, showcasing his capability to defeat any opponent.
The planned showdown with Deontay Wilder in March is no longer an option after Joseph Parker's clear victory over Wilder before the Joshua-Wallin fight. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, expressed interest in a match with the undefeated Filip Hrgovic, who also won on the same card.
If successful in that bout, Joshua will keep an eye on the Fury-Usyk fight on Feb. 17 and the potential rematch clause. Joshua is now in a favorable position, with renewed momentum after setbacks against Usyk, awaiting the opportunity to fight for a championship when the dust settles.