Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua 27-3 (24) could face undefeated Croatian Filip ‘El Animal’ Hrgovic 17-0 (14) next if the IBF title become vacant.
The 34-year-old Brit walked down Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin 26-2 (14) at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night while previously proposed future opponent Deontay Wilder 43-3-1 (42) of America lost on points to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker 34-3 (23) in a virtual shutout.
Earlier in the night, the 31-year-old Hrgovic rolled through overmatched Australian Mark De Mori 41-3-2 (36) in one round.
The stage had been set for Joshua to face Wilder in Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2024 if they both won their bouts. The one-sided nature of the 38-year-old Wilder’s loss has put that fight in jeopardy.
Another option for Joshua is a bout against IBF number one ranked contender Hrgovic. The IBF title is currently held by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk 21-0 (14) who is slated to put his three world championship belts on the line against WBC titleholder Tyson Fury 34-0-1 (24) in Saudi Arabia on February 17.
But with Usyk and Fury likely to enforce a rematch after their first bout, it is expected the IBF will strip the winner of their title.
Joshua is ranked number three by the IBF while Wallin was ranked number two going in to Saturday night.
Joshua wasn’t ruling anything in or out after his impressive win.
“I’m not too sure what can happen from here but I’m sure from a fan perspective they’ll be more annoyed,” Joshua said at the post-fight press conference. “For me I always understand how this game is. You never know. This is elite level boxing. Wilder just came up short but he’ll live to fight another day.
“Me and him can still get it on, we can still get it crackin’. I believe I’m a massive threat. I still think Wilder is a threat and I still think it does amazing numbers if you get it on. But I’ll leave that down to my management, trainers, promoters, to make the decision. I’m down to fight anyone, whenever and whoever.”
Wilder was noncommittal about his future.
“We’ll see what happens, we still have a little bit left, but I did a great job managing my money. I’m a happy fighter. I’ll be back, and if not, then it’s been a pleasure. I don’t know [if I still have the same fire I used to], a lot has calmed me down,” Wilder said.
“I’ve been wearing this smile all week long and I’m still going to wear it. Nothing can stop me on that.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was rapt with his boxer’s performance.
“I believe this Anthony Joshua is the best heavyweight in the world. That was a punch-perfect performance tonight. A stunning performance. One that says he is back. With this mindset in this team, I think he is unbeatable. 2024 will be massive for him,” Hearn told TNT Sports.
“It was a tough decision between the championship and Wilder. We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight, that’s OK, it happens in boxing. Maybe it is a blessing because this guy is about championships. He wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. It will be Filip Hrgovic against AJ for the world title.
“I am so happy to see him smiling and performing so well. He is a dangerous man when he is in that kind of mood. 2024 is going to be very interesting, every heavyweight should be on notice – he is back.”
