Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin came face-to-face for the first time since their fight was announced, and they exchanged plenty of words.
The Brit beat the Swedish southpaw back on the amateur scene, but much more is at stake now a decade into his professional career.
Wallin managed to go the distance with Tyson Fury, cutting him badly with a punch but ultimately losing a unanimous decision. Still, he was tricky enough to trouble the Morecambe man, and is confident of causing an upset in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
In fact, he said during the press conference that Joshua was well past his peak. The two-time heavyweight champion didn’t take kindly to that, and told Wallin as much when they came head-to-head.
“Do you know what I notice about you? You talk a lot. Worry about yourself, don’t worry about me. All you’re doing is giving me more motivation to f**k you up. Keep talking s**t, all you’re doing is digging your grave. You’re talking about I’ve had my peak?”
Joshua then addressed promoter Dmitry Salita, who was in Wallin’s corner. He told the New York native that he would beat all of his fighters one-by-one – that started with Jermaine Franklin back in April.
Wallin continued to respond, but Joshua would have the last word.
“Good luck anyway, yeah. I’m f***ing you up December 23rd. And if you’re talking s**t, don’t shake my hand after.”
Should Joshua beat Wallin, it would cap off 2023 with a third win – something he promised to do at the beginning of the year.
The pair are set to top an eight-fight bill that also features Deontay Wilder versus Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois against Jarrell Miller and two world champions – Dmitry Bivol and Jai Opetaia – defending their world titles.