Anthony Joshua is starting to climb back up the heavyweight rankings and a statement victory tonight is just what he needs.
Since back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, the Brit has beaten Jermaine Franklin and knocked out Robert Helenius.
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Joshua was meant to face Dillian Whyte but his fellow Londoner failed a drugs test, while a long-awaited bout against Tyson Fury has collapsed numerous times.
Anthony Joshua next fight: Is his next opponent confirmed?
Yes, Joshua's next clash has been confirmed.
AJ will battle Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia this evening - the same night as Deontay Wilder fights Joseph Parker.
The Brit last fought in August and knocked Helenius out in the seventh round, with Deontay Wilder initially being the top candidate to be his next opponent.
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An agreement was reached but had to be shelved when Saudi Arabia revealed they couldn't host it.
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The pair will now be competing on one of the deepest cards in boxing history in the Gulf State although not against each other.
The hope is for them to clash in 2024, with both Joshua and Wilder showing respect to one another in the press conference.
In the meantime, Joshua will need to remain focused on Wallin, who he beat twice as an amateur, but their reunion will be a different proposition as a professional.
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The Swede's only defeat in 27 fights came as he lost on points against Tyson Fury in 2019.
However, Wallin gave the Gypsy King one of his biggest scares after he required 47 stitches and plastic surgery following the damage caused by 'All In'.
Anthony Joshua gives frosty interview with TNT Sports at Grand Arrivals ahead of Otto Wallin fight in Saudi Arabia4
Anthony Joshua fight: When will it happen?
This 12-round heavyweight clash is set to go ahead on Saturday, December 23.
It will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia being three hours ahead of the UK means that the undercard is set to start at 4pm on these shores.
The ring-walks for the main event are expected between 10:30 and 10:45pm.
talkSPORT has secured commentary rights to the Day Of Reckoning, while talkSPORT.com will be running a live blog as well.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The action will also be broadcast on DAZN PPV and TNT Sports with the event costing £19.99 on both.
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Anthony Joshua next fight: What's been said?
Joshua has told talkSPORT that Wallin is banking on the wrong things heading into their fight.
When asked about the Swede describing him as 'mentally weak', Joshua told talkSPORT: "If that's what he's banking on.
"He should be banking on his skills, his skillset.
"He should be banking on the fact he's worked hard, he trusts his skills and he thinks he's good enough.
"He shouldn't be banking on whether I'm mentally strong or not.
"That's crazy to go into a fight and hope that the fighter you're fighting isn't mentally strong and that gives you an opportunity to beat them.
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"What I'm banking on is my confidence, my strength, my durability, my chin, my heart, my fitness, my skills. It's nothing to do with Otto.
"Everything I'm banking on is everything to do with me. That's what's giving me confidence."