- Otto Wallin has admitted he’s feeling ‘nervous’ heading into the Saudi bout
- The Swede also insisted that it wouldn’t be an ‘upset’ if he beat the British star
- Moses Itauma was brave enough to turn up at Lawrence Okolie’s gym aged 14 – now we are seeing the result – The Hook
Otto Wallin has admitted that he’s ‘nervous’ heading into his bout with Anthony Joshua on the highly-anticipated Day of Reckoning card.
The British and Swedish heavyweights will go head-to-head on Saturday night as part of the thrilling night of boxing action in Saudi Arabia.
Reports last week claimed that Joshua is set to fight Wilder on March 9 if they both come through their fights in Saudi Arabia unscathed.
However, his upcoming opponent has suggested that it would not be an ‘upset’ if he triumphed over the British star.
Speaking at the press conference, he said: ‘Of course I’m nervous, but I just want to say thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Frank Warren for making this happen.
Otto Wallin has admitted that he’s ‘nervous’ heading into his bout with Anthony Joshua
The British and Swedish heavyweights will go head-to-head on Saturday night
‘Of course I’m nervous, it’s a big fight, a big opportunity, but I’m ready for it. I’ve worked very hard to be here and now it’s time to enjoy the moment and win the fight and move on.
‘People talking about upsets, I’m going to win the fight and you shouldn’t call it an upset. It’s not really an upset, it’s just natural. This is my time so I’m ready for it. I’m just happy to be here.
‘I’m just trying to be myself. People say I talk a lot now but I get asked questions and I just answer them how I feel.
‘I’m not trying to make anything up, it’s just the truth. If people like it then fine, if they don’t then that’s okay too.
‘I’m a tricky southpaw, I’m a good fighter. It’s kind of a short notice to this fight. Also, he’s got a new trainer, so I think that can be tricky. He’s used to be a happy guy but from what I see now he seems very stiff and tense. Maybe he’s fed up of all of this stuff.’
Wallin has won his last six fights in a row and poses a serious threat to Joshua’s potential super-fight with Wilder next year.
Joshua will be hoping to deal Wallin his first professional defeat since 2019 on Saturday
The Swede’s only defeat came as a narrow loss to British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury back in 2019.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, said: ‘Otto Wallin, many people thought he was unlucky not to force the stoppage against Tyson Fury. He’s coming off a great win against Murat Gasiev.
‘I love his confidence. He truly believe he will win the fight on Saturday. We’ve got other plans’.
Elsewhere during the press conference, Jarrell Miller stole the show after taking aim at his opponent Daniel Dubois.
Miller and Dubois continued exchanging verbal blows at the press conference on Thursday, with DDD uncharacteristically starting the drama.
Dubois began by telling Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller he was his ‘daddy’ and that he was going to prove that on Saturday night.
Wallin insisted that it would not be an ‘upset’ if he triumphs over the British star
Miller snapped back: ‘I don’t know what card you read that from but I am happy for you. A-B-C-D, 1-2-3, Daniel Dubois just lost his virginity.’
He continued: ‘Tune in on Saturday night because I am going to cook this shrimp live on TV. The two-time quitter’.
Dubois responded: ‘I am going to teach you a lesson’ before Miller said: ‘After the Usyk fight I heard he finally got some vagina.
‘I am happy for you and I applaud you that you know what the gushy, gushy feels like but I’m gonna make your face mushy, mushy come Saturday night.’
