Anthony Joshua says repetitive visualisation means he is 'sure' and 'ready' ahead of 'Day of Reckoning' Otto Wallin bout

Anthony Joshua says repetitive visualisation of going over his 'Day of Reckoning' fight with Otto Wallin "so many times" means he is "sure" and "ready" to step into the ring on Saturday night.

Joshua headlines a huge heavyweight card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in an event to be shown live on TNT Sports Box Office.

The fight is the Briton’s third of the year, having beaten Jermaine Franklin and then Robert Helenius as he looks to continue his recovery from back-to-back defeats to Ukrainian world unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

A win for Joshua would set him up for a huge fight with Deontay Wilder, who also features on the card, fighting Joseph Parker.

When asked by TNT Sports' Steve Bunce how he was feeling ahead of the bout, Joshua said: “Sure of myself, ready.

"That's coming deep from within. I’m looking back on other fights I’ve been through, we will talk about that another time, but this fight, I’m sure of myself and I’m ready.”

Discussing Wallin, who pushed Tyson Fury hard in 2019, Joshua was not complacent.

“The opponent I got is confident in himself, he’s obviously looking at every aspect of me,” he answered. “Studying me, analysing me. Bit of a grudge there.

“[We] shared the gym together in preparation when I fought for the world title. So we know each other pretty well. I always say, whatever industry you’re in, if you work hard you’ll meet the people at the top. The hustlers are going to bump heads.”

The 34-year-old explained how he is getting ready for Saturday’s clash, and thinks he could fight before then if needed.

Joshua explained: “Everything from a mental aspect, when I get into the ring in training, I envision I am in the ring for fight night. When I drive here, I’m like: ‘I’m driving to the fight. How do I feel?’

“So the time Saturday comes, I’ve gone over it in my head so many times that I’m in the best place possible. I’m not waiting until Saturday to say am I ready. I’ve been getting ready, if it was tonight I could walk out and fight.

Asked about headlining the card, Joshua said: “It’s a blessing. This is my existence, this is my reality and I own it. Mentally, I’m good. I’ve had some good times in my life."

He joked: "I’d much rather be at a house party, kicking back, enjoying some good music but I’m here.

"This is the best time of my life. I’m feeling good, I’m ready. I’m locked in.

“I’m just ready to go. I’ll do my best on Saturday night.”

'Day of Reckoning' costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched through DAZN or TNT Sports Box Office and is available via the DAZN app on Smart TVs, streaming sticks, tablets, laptops and game consoles, Virgin Media TV, Sky and EE TV.

You do not need to be a subscriber to buy this event and more information on all the ways you can watch can be found at www.dayofreckoning.co.uk.

DAZN customers can purchase the fight on www.DAZN.com or via the DAZN app, accessed on their Smart TVs, streaming sticks, laptop, tablets, mobiles and games consoles.

Sky customers can purchase on channel 494 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports.

Virgin Media TV customers in the UK: customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View Events rail.

EE TV customers can go to channel 495 and pay using their remote control.

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