Anthony Joshua couldn’t have been happier to see an old rival succeed – even though it killed a mega-money fight he had planned.
The two-time heavyweight world champion ruthlessly stopped Otto Wallin in five rounds during the Day of Reckoning main event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Joshua looked back to his best against WallinCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Joshua’s flawless victory should’ve paved the way for a fight with Deontay Wilder, however, the American suffered a shocking upset loss to Parker earlier in the evening.
AJ famously outpointed Parker to unify the heavyweight division in March 2018, but five years later Parker proved he his still a force to be reckoned with by easily outpointing Wilder over 12 rounds.
Post-fight, the Englishman was chatting with IFL TV before Parker walked backstage, and the former rivals exchanged compliments in a touching scene.
“Well done, champion,” Joshua said.
“I was just talking about you now.”
Parker was impressed by how Joshua approached fight week.
He replied: “You were focused all week.”
Joshua added: “Yeah, I don’t get involved in all the other stuff.”
3Parker shocked many with his dominant performance against WilderCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
3AJ was full of praise for his old rivalCredit: IFL TV – YouTube
The pair shared a hug and a handshake before parting ways.
“God bless you, brother,” Joshua said. “Proud of you.”
Despite the fact Parker beat the man Joshua was poised to fight next, it appears highly unlikely that they will rematch each other anytime soon.
The man himself is hoping to fight WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who is booked to face WBO, WBA, and IBF titleholder Oleksandr Usyk on February 17, next.
However, he is also open to a clash with top-ranked contender Filip Hrgovic after he cemented his mandatory shot at the IBF belt by stopping Mark De Mori in one round.
Asked during a post-fight press conference if he’d rather fight Hrgovic or Fury next, Joshua said: “Don’t put me in this position
“100 per cent Tyson Fury, but I’m not dodging Hrgovic, by the way.
“I’ll fight Hrgovic as well.”
