Former two-weight king Evander Holyfield has had his say on who will win when Anthony Joshua steps into the ring with Otto Wallin.
Holyfield remains a legend of the sport, being the only man to ever be undisputed ruler at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. Now he has cast his mind over Joshua’s important upcoming fight with Swede, Wallin. If he is to continue on his quest to become a three-time world heavyweight champion he will need to put in a good showing against a man many have struggled with.
That includes Tyson Fury, who was cut badly when the pair met and was pushed all the way over 12 rounds, though he ultimately took the points decision.
Since then Wallin has also beaten former cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev and has a unanimous points decision over Dominic Breazeale, who Joshua knocked out in seven rounds a few years ago.
Extra jeopardy comes from the fact that historically Joshua has struggled with southpaws, although the southpaw in question was Oleksandr Usyk, a pound-for-pound great in many people’s eyes.
Speaking to iFL TV, Holyfield was asked how Joshua would fare against Wallin.
“Well, [Joshua] got the range. It appears to me that when people don’t pressure him, he gets his shots off then he wins.”
‘The Real Deal’ thinks Joshua struggles when he gets put under pressure, but will come out with a points victory.
“I don’t think he stands pressure real well, but if it’s a distance fight and they keep their measurements, he’s going to outpoint him.”