Anthony Joshua has been hailed as ‘f***ing amazing’ and ‘dominant’ by his peers after making light work of Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua ensured his career got back on track after he stopped Wallin in the fifth round.
It was a mature, dominant performance to mark boxing’s ‘Day of Reckoning’ in Saudi Arabia – and his peers, fellow boxers and promoters, were left blown away.
‘I wasn’t expecting a performance like that. He was punch perfect,’ Amir Khan told Boxing Social.
‘Accurate, skilful, everything was f***ing amazing. That’s one of the best performances Anthony Joshua has had. He made his opponent miss and he countered well. He was focused and overall a brilliant fight.’
Anthony Joshua secured a fifth round stoppage victory over Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia
It was a dominant and accomplished display from Joshua (left) and his peers were impressed
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Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn could not stop smiling and he posted on X: ‘Oh man he’s so back!’ He added a rocket emoji, suggesting he believes it can be take-off for his career once more.
Rival promoter Frank Warren, who looks after Tyson Fury, a potential opponent for Joshua, put personal rivalries aside to praise Joshua.
‘Dominant win. Some massive fights in the division to make, the #DayofReckoning did not disappoint.’
One person who very much does want to fight Joshua is former UFC megastar Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou gained the respect of the boxing world by taking Fury on debut, losing only to split decision, and now he wants a crack at Joshua.
‘Great performance tonight AJ… #NgannouJoshua’ he posted, complete with a thinking emoji.
Speaking about his ambitions to take on Joshua, in what he floated could be a mixed martial arts contest, Ngannou told the Club Shay Shay podcast: ‘Anything that he wants. Ring or octagon. The good thing is I’m the one that can go everywhere comfortably.
‘My comfort zone will be the octagon, but I’m going to the ring and putting them in a bad spot in the ring.
‘I have my territory [in MMA] where they cannot mess with me. If they come, they will need something, like some favour, like, “I’ll give you this, we’ll take kicks out”.
‘I have to give him something, but when we step in the ring, they don’t give me anything and I still get them in trouble.’
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou watched and is now eager to take on Joshua next
Lennox Lewis was one keen observer on the night, as he hailed a series of ‘good showings’ on the card.
‘Big up to heavyweight winners @DynamiteDubois @joeboxerparker and @anthonyjoshua for good showing at #RiyadhSeason #DayOfReckoning.’
Boxing trainer Jamie Moore added: ‘Top performance by AJ, most relaxed and natural he’s fought for a long time.
‘Love to see him back that way.’
Shawn Porter wrote: ‘AJ looked fantastic, and I’m eating the words I said on this week’s podcast that he should have been the co-main event. Salute AJ.’
Behind the scenes Joshua celebrated his win with fellow British boxing icons Tony Bellew and Derek Chisora.
AJ and Chisora, nicknamed WAR, had fun trying to get a reluctant Bellew to rap, though viewers weren’t given the chance to see him break into song.
Trainers and fellow fighters were left impressed by the poise Joshua showed in the ring
Others took to social media to share their thoughts on the ‘dominant’ Joshua Saudi display
Chisora and Joshua were the ringleaders of the revelry behind the scenes as they huddled together for a video released on the former’s Instagram account.
‘Teddy T, drop a bar,’ said Chisora as he egged on Bellew to rap with his fake nickname, Teddy T. ‘Bro, drop a bar. Teddy T!’
‘I’m not dropping that bar!’ replied Bellew. ‘I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.’
A jubilant Joshua was clearly in favour of Bellew letting loose, laughing and asking: ‘Is he singing or rapping?’
The ‘Teddy T’ nickname came to the fore during the recent series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Chisora and Joshua were the ringleaders of the revelry behind the scenes as they huddled together for a video released on the former’s Instagram account.
AJ and Derek Chisora encouraged Tony Bellew to rap backstage, but he wasn’t having any of it!
‘Teddy T, drop a bar,’ said Chisora as he egged on Bellew to rap with his fake nickname, Teddy T. ‘Bro, drop a bar. Teddy T!’
‘I’m not dropping that bar!’ replied Bellew. ‘I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.’
A jubilant Joshua was clearly in favour of Bellew letting loose, laughing and asking: ‘Is he singing or rapping?’
The ‘Teddy T’ nickname came to the fore during the recent series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!