Anthony Joshua: Former unified heavyweight champion could reportedly avoid Deontay Wilder and RETIRE after fight in Saudi Arabia

Anthony Joshua has been tipped to retire from boxing if he fails to win his next match.

The 34-year-old British boxer of Nigerian descent has been booked to face his former sparring partner, Otto Wallin, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next weekend.

The former unified heavyweight champion is also poised to fight in a multi-million-pound grudge match with long-time rival Deontay Wilder.

Otto Wallin's promoter Dmitry Salita has recently been speaking ahead of the fight between AJ and Otto.

Dmitry believes AJ’s career itself is also on the line when the two clash in the Kingdom of Saudi.

When asked if Joshua could retire after losing to Wallin, he told OLBG: "It depends on how he loses.

"If it’s a technicality by a cut or a headbutt then he will call for a rematch but if he is outboxed in a boring fight, then there may not be a desire for a rematch, and he may not want it.

"it is a standard protocol to have a rematch clause in place and you have to protect yourself, but I don’t think the rematch is real unless it is a Gatti vs Ward type of fight.

"But I don’t think there will be a rematch."

ESPN reports that Anthony Joshua’s team are confident of a victory against Wallin, so much so they have already set a March date for a showdown with Deontay Wilder.