Anthony Joshua revealed whom he would like to face next after defeating Otto Wallin at the “Day of Reckoning” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
Joshua, who won his third fight in 2023 and ended the year unbeaten, was poised to meet Deontay Wilder in March but the latter was handed a shock defeat by Joseph Parker, and the Brit will now have to find a new match for his fight in March.
In the post-match press conference, discussion naturally shifted towards determining Joshua's next opponent. Promoter Eddie Hearn hinted at a potential bout for the vacant IBF world title against Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic being on the cards. This could precede an eagerly anticipated showdown with the victor of the unification contest 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."
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."
Ben Davison, Joshua’s trainer, had previously worked with Fury before the pair split in 2019. The reporter bombarded Joshua with another awkward question asking if the fight with Fury becomes reality, would it be awkward for Davison or not.
"Does that put Ben Davison in awkward position?" the reporter asked. With Joshua again laughing, his trainer himself took the microphone to state: "Unnecessary question."
Hrgovic, 31, also featured on the card this Saturday night. He experienced a straightforward victory, securing a first-round knockout against Australian Mark De Mori in their bout.
Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin: full card and results
• Anthony Joshua defeats Otto Wallin by TKO
• Joseph Parker defeats Deontay Wilder by UD
• Dmitry Bivol defeats Lyndon Arthur by UD for WBA lightweight title
• Daniel Dubois defeats Jarrell Miller by TKO
• Agit Kabayel defeats Arslanbek Makhmudov by TKO
• Jai Opetaia defeats Ellis Zorro by KO
• Filip Hrgovic defeats Mark de Mori by KO
• Frank Sanchez defeats Junior Fa by TKO