Anthony Joshua could face Deontay Wilder next year but first the British heavyweight must get past Otto Wallin when they clash on December 23 in Saudi Arabia.
Wilder and Joshua will appear on a bill together for the first time ever as they look to create extra interest in a potential blockbuster between the pair in 2024.
In Wallin, Joshua will face a durable opponent who enters the bout in solid form following a superb win over Murat Gassiev earlier this year.
The Swede lost to Tyson Fury in 2019 but he provided the current WBC champion with a stern test, and he’ll be looking to cause an upset on the same show that will see Wilder take on Joseph Parker.
Evander Holyfield, a student of the heavyweight division and a former world champion, is expecting Joshua to get the job done.
“Well, [Joshua] got the range. It appears to me that when people don’t pressure him, he gets his shots off then he wins,” said Holyfield when speaking to IFLTV.
“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.”