Boxing fans are hoping for a dream Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder showdown next year… but their Saudi opponents Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker are the men standing in the way of the fight becoming a reality

Boxing has had its fair share of dream fights that either take too long to happen or never get going at all.

While a British showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury seems doubtful, it looks like a real heavyweight showdown will happen next year

Joshua vs Deontay Wilder is a fight that boxing fans have been wanting for years, ever since their failed talks during a fight in 2017.

Although both men have since lost their undefeated records and heavyweight titles, it's still a huge money-making fight and it's one that could be on the card despite the disappointment of not fighting in Saudi Arabia on Saturday .

ESPN claimed that the duo had struck a deal to return to Saudi Arabia to fight on March 9, 2024. However, two obstacles stand in the way: Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker.

Joshua will battle Otto Wallin, while Wilder will take on New Zealander Joseph Parker.

Both Joshua and Wilder are significant favorites for the 'Day of Reckoning' supercard, although their opponents should not be downplayed.

Joshua's Swedish opponent Wallin has tasted defeat just once in his career – against Tyson Fury in September 2019 – and has a record of 26-1 with one extra fight ending in a no-contest after an opponent suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt.

Fury took the victory by unanimous decision, but the Gypsy King survived a scare after suffering multiple cuts, including a deep gash over his right eye.

Former undisputed champion Lennox Lewis said even in defeat Wallin's shares rose, with the 'most impressive job of the night' going to Fury's cutman after fears the fight could be stopped.

It's no surprise then that Joshua said he predicts “blood and bruises” during an interview with TNT.

Since then, Wallin has recorded six consecutive victories over Dominic Breazeale, Rydell Booker and most recently Murat Gassiev for the WBA intercontinental heavyweight title.

It's a fight some are calling 'risky' for Joshua, with Fury's father, John, insisting he will be 'tested like he's never been tested before'.

He told Boxing Social: “I think if I had looked after him I wouldn't have picked Wallin.

“If AJ is the way he is, he's making a comeback, he's had a few setbacks, then you want a confidence builder.

“And this doesn't build confidence, this is a damn tough fight.”

Joshua is coming off wins against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, but Wallin believes the Brit is 'not at his peak'.

He told TNT: “I'm coming off a great win, the best win of my life, and now I'm back to fight AJ. I think I'm in a really good place and he's not at his peak yet.

'He has a good victory against Helenius, but he should have won that one. I think I'm in a really good position and I don't think the same for him.

'I'm going to do everything I can to win. I've worked for this all my life and I'm ready.”

Joshua discussed his fight against Wallin and the perception that he struggles against southpaws in an interview with Mail Sport after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

'It'll be really good. It will be entertaining, tough, grueling and challenging. I will seize the opportunity. My goal is to also have my hand raised at the end. I will accept the challenge and that will eventually lead to my hand being raised.

'I was beaten by one of the best left-handers in the world. I could have done better, 100 percent. Will I do better if I get another chance? Yes. But I just got beat that night by a better fighter than me.

'It's not that I have trouble with lefties. I had trouble with the opponent that night. Otto Wallin is a completely different opponent. Let's see how we get through this Saturday night.'

In the other co-main event, Wilder – who has only fought once since his second defeat to Fury in October 2021 – takes on Parker.

Parker's record suggests he doesn't have quite the same challenge as Wallin does for Joshua at 33-3. He suffered back-to-back defeats to Joshua and Dillian Whyte in 2018, with his third defeat coming to Joe Joyce in September 2022.

There will be concerns about whether Parker can compete with Wilder's big right hand, but the New Zealander is no slouch with 20 knockouts in his career.

He possesses the speed advantage and trains with the Gypsy King who has experience defeating Wilder.

Parker told talkSPORT: 'Tyson was able to give me some advice and some knowledge about fighting Deontay Wilder. The only difference is that I'm not 6 feet tall and I have the longest reach, so whatever my strengths are, I have to use them to the best of my ability.

'He gave me some tips and advice and he actually helped me with sparring.'

Parker also doesn't have the ring rust that Wilder might have, having last fought on October 28, winning the vacant IBF and WBO intercontinental heavyweight titles against Simon Kean in Saudi Arabia.

There is more confidence within the boxing world with a convincing victory for Wilder and the American himself said he expects to knock out his opponent within three to four rounds.

Joshua and Wilder cannot afford to lose their fights this weekend, even though the American has suggested he would fight his British rival if he loses to Wallin.

The likelihood of a battle takes a serious hit if either of them tastes defeat, as their paths could go in opposite directions – rather than closing in on the same place when reports of their battle are completed on March 9.

Both are confident ahead of their respective fights this weekend, but Wallin and Parker will be out to spoil the party.