“I’m not here to party and get caught up in the glitz and glamour” – Anthony Joshua ahead of fight with Otto Wallin 

Anthony Joshua is prioritizing defeating Otto Wallin above all else in preparation for their Saturday bout in Riyadh.

While a victory could potentially set up a much-anticipated fight against Deontay Wilder, who is facing Joseph Parker in the co-main event, Joshua is emphasizing concentrating on his performance rather than getting caught up in the “glitz and glamour” surrounding potential future matchups.

He said: “I’m here to fight.

“Of course I’m tense because I want to perform, I want to win. I’ve got that urge to win and I want to hurt my opponent as well.

“I’m not here to party and get caught up in the glitz and glamour.”

Anthony Joshua’s demeanor has been a focal point in the lead-up to the showdown with Otto Wallin. While the former world champion attributes the absence of his usual bravado to concentration, Wallin, his confident opponent, remains skeptical about the explanation.

Wallin said: “From what I see, he seems very stiff and tense. 

“Maybe he’s fed up with all this stuff.

“It won’t be an upset [if I win]. Stop calling it an upset.”

Organizers are hopeful that both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder successfully navigate their respective challenges, paving the way for a potential head-to-head battle between the two in the future. Despite recent comments from Wilder questioning Joshua’s “heart” to face him, there have also been indications of mutual respect between the fighters.

He told the BBC: “I don’t want to say he’s 100% afraid, but I think he’s 75%.

“We’ll see what happens. The future is bright and we are further [in talks] than we’ve ever been in history. I can say that with certainty. 

“Money hasn’t been the issue. It comes with [Joshua] not having the heart, the will, the courage to step in the ring.”