Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring for the final time in 2023, with his bout against Swede Otto Wallin now confirmed for December 23 in Saudi Arabia.
The former two-time unified world heavyweight champion is bidding to take his record to 27-3 after safely beating Robert Helenius in his last fight back in August. There had been some discussion about the potential of the 31-year-old Brit taking on Deontay Wilder, but Wallin has stepped in with the pair set to meet in Riyadh.
Wilder instead will take on Joshua Parker on the very same undercard in the Middle East, with any potential meeting of the two looking less and less likely. Set to take place at the Kingdom Arena, Wallin himself currently boasts a record of 26-1 with his only loss coming against Tyson Fury back in September 2021.
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Adding further spice along the way, Joshua has once again opted to switch his trainer and looks set to use Fury's former coach Ben Davison. Davison was heavily criticised by members of the boxing world - including Fury's family - as he suffered a nasty cut in his eventual victory over Wallin two years ago.
When is Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin?
The fight will take place on Saturday 23 December.
Where is the bout taking place?
The bout is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Kingdom Arena.
Who else is fighting?
- Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin; Heavyweight
- Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker; Heavyweight
- Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur; For Bivol's WBA light heavyweight title
- Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller; Heavyweight
- Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro; For Opetaia's IBF cruiserweight title
- Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark de Mori; Heavyweight
- Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Agit Kabayel; For Kabayel's European heavyweight title
- Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa; Heavyweight
