TYSON FURY’s ex-rival Otto Wallin wants to be Anthony Joshua’s return fight to heavyweight boxing.
Southpaw Wallin, 32, has only one loss on his professional record, and that came to WBC champion Fury back in 2019.
AP:Associated PressWallin lost to Fury but gave the Gypsy King a nasty cut above his right eye[/caption]
Wallin would like to fight Joshua on his return fightAFP
He has 24 wins, with four of those coming after his only defeat.
Two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Joshua, 33, is eyeing a boxing comeback this year following his rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua first lost his belts to the Ukrainian in 2021, with Usyk winning by unanimous decision.
Last summer’s rematch in Saudi Arabia was a closer contest, however, it still ended in defeat for the Brit.
Sky Sports were told that Australian heavyweight Demsey McKeanis in talks to fight Joshua.
McKeanis, 32, is unbeaten but Wallin’s promoter Dmitry Salita maintains that Joshua must come back against a credible opponent.
Salita told Sky Sports: “We will see how serious Joshua is about returning to an elite heavyweight level by the level of the opponent he selects.
“He can beat the likes of McKean in an impressive fashion training by himself.
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“So a fight with such an opponent will not prove anything as an elite boxer and will not be able to see actual improvements from a new trainer.
“Joshua has been associated with lots of big names. Is it real? I don’t know. Not if he fights a no-name with a glossy record.”
Salita continued: “Otto is willing and ready to come to the UK on April 1 to fight Anthony Joshua. That would be a massive fight!
“Otto is interested in fighting Joshua and that is the fight that seems to make sense especially if Fury fights Usyk in March.
“Otto believes he will beat Joshua and with that deserve the Fury rematch.
“Even if it’s not Otto, the level of opponent will tell us where Joshua is at now.
“Joshua is a very accomplished fighter and was one of the best heavyweights of this generation.
“As a fan if he’s still got it, I would love to see him fight the big fights.”