Otto Wallin calls Anthony Joshua out if Usyk defers a rematch... but fears Tyson Fury 47 stitches might scare him off

OTTO WALLIN will fight Anthony Joshua if Oleksandr Usyk leaves the equation.

With a 12-round masterclass, Usyk defeated AJ of WBA, IBF, and WBO unified titles last September.

They have agreed to a rematch, but the Ukrainian 35-year-old has bravely fought for his country in the war against Russia.

Joshua, 32, is a good friend of Usyk and could see their rematch canceled.

He and Eddie Hearn both confirmed that they are open to an interim fight if necessary.

There is a short list of southpaw replacements. However, Wallin's promoter Dmitriy Salaita has already submitted his name to Hearn.

The Swede thinks he resembles Usyk more than Charles Martin, whom AJ has already defeated, and Cuban Luis Ortiz (42).

SunSport spoke with Wallin, 30: "I believe if you look at three of us, I'd make the best choice."

"I had a really good fight against Fury. I sent him to the hospital with 47 stitches. It was Fury's most difficult fight.

"If you take a look at Usyk, and you want to find someone similar to him then I'm your best choice.

"They know I am interested in the fight, and I want it."

Wallin transformed from an unknown European competitor to Fury in September 2019.

If it had been another opponent that night, the horrific gash in round three could have ended the fight.

Fury eventually beat Wallin, but his stock rose overnight as Fury emerged as a legitimate heavyweight competitor.

Joshua was also impressed by his performance, and he has been regarded as a dangerous opponent.

Wallin stated that he was concerned about the risk of me taking on too many people in this fight. He would have a good shot of beating me.

"Before fighting Fury, nobody knew anything about me and didn't think that I would do anything in that fight."

"But after that fight I really showed that my level is high and that I can manage myself. I think that the fight was more of a win than anything.

"But people are more hesitant than me to fight for them."

Wallin is no stranger to AJ. They have fought twice in the amateur ranks.

Joshua recruited him to spar with southpaws before he defeated Martin, 35 in 2015, his crowning night.

It allows AJ to see firsthand what Wallin has in store for him and his paying fans.

Wallin stated that there were two fights in amateurs. These were wars. Wallin won two decisions.

"But they were great fights, and that would be an opportunity for him to look at the fight and say, "Hey, this would make a really good fight."

"It would entertain, I'm worthy opponent and a good fight.