Featured Image Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Topics: Sport, Boxing, Anthony Joshua
Joe Harker
Anthony Joshua cruised to victory over Otto Wallin last night (23 December) in five rounds, meaning that this year he has won all three of his fights.
However, the boxer will allegedly end up missing out on a $100 million (£80 million) payday because of what else happened in the ring that night.
Last night's fights were really supposed to set up a clash between Joshua and Deontay Wilder, but things didn't quite go as planned for one boxer.
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Wilder was defeated by New Zealand's Joseph Parker, who won the fight by unanimous decision, meaning that a predicted battle between him and Joshua may have to wait a while.
Instead, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said he already knows
who Joshua's next opponent was likely to be - Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic.
"We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight," Hearn said after Joshua's dominant victory and Wilder's surprising defeat.
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"Maybe it's a blessing because AJ wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. It's gonna be AJ vs Hrgovic for the world title."
According to the Mirror, Wilder's defeat means that the $100 million payday that would have been coming for a fight with Joshua is now in jeopardy, and on hold at least.
The pair had plans for a couple of fights in Saudi Arabia next year but if Joshua has to face other opponents first then it kicks those bouts into the long grass.
Wilder said his 'timing was off a little bit' in the fight against Parker, and that he felt like he had the upper hand in the fight but 'these things happen'.
The 38-year-old even dropped some hints that he might be looking to hang up the gloves as he said he'll 'be back soon' before adding: "If not, then I appreciate the love and support everyone has given me over the years."
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As for Joshua's view on Wilder's defeat, he didn't watch it as he was busy preparing for his own fight.
The 34-year-old seemed to welcome the prospect of stepping into the ring with Wilder at some point, even if he has to wait a little longer than expected.
He said: "I heard Deontay lost but so what, he will come back. It shows this business is fine margins.
"Deontay, everything he has said about me, I could rip him apart right now, but I am going to take the higher ground and I hope he comes back.
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"If he wants, he can come back and fight another day. It is up to him and I am sure everybody still wants to see that fight."
It seems as though their fight is still very much on the cards, just perhaps delayed a bit.