Last weekend we saw big punching British heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua answer the ‘test’ of Kevin Johnson in emphatic style, making a mockery of the American’s prior credentials of having never previously being stopped throughout his long professional career – the pinnacle of which saw him see the final bell against Vitali Klitschko back in 2009.
The fact he also extended Joshua’s domestic peers Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora the 12 round distance, has drawn comparisons between the British heavyweight rivals – with a school of thought existing that Joshua could well jump in – and beat – either man tomorrow.
There are obviously many differing views as to how fast Joshua should be moved given his natural talent, strength and ability – with the more credible tests now seemingly at European and fringe world level only. The most frequent names being linked to him include Lucas Browne, David Price, David Haye and fellow unbeaten prospect and amateur rival Dillian Whyte – a fighter with a near identical record.
The time has come for the ‘L’ plates to come off and Joshua’s handlers now have a difficult but crucial job to do in terms of having him matched so the questions the fans have – namely over his engine and ability to take a shot -are answered in the near future.
If one thing is for certain, it is that the Watford man is absolutely brimming with confidence regarding his future, and in an interview with TalkSport, he has re-asserted his belief that the big fights are now not too far away, with a world title shot something AJ sees himself getting sooner rather than later.
WBC champion Deontay Wilder had the exact same questions surrounding his chin and engine asked of him for 30-odd fights before winning the title from Bermane Stiverne in January – something that has not gone unnoticed by the boxing public or Joshua himself.
And with this much maligned fight against Eric Molina, the questions surrounding Wilder are still not completely answered. Is he really THAT much better than Anthony Joshua when you consider he blew out the same type of opposition in much the same fashion on the way up? Just a bit more often ?
You don’t learn much from fights like that.
Joshua said of The Bronze Bomber;
“Deontay Wilder is a world champion. He hasn’t got that much experience but he has raw power which has led to him becoming world champion.”
“He’s gonna be looking at the up-and-coming fighters that are doing well. That’s why I think I’ll get a shot at the heavyweight championship of the world sooner, rather than later.”
And Joshua is clear that a David Haye fight is not to be ruled out – something I thought immediately after Eddie Hearn announced something “big” for his planned September 12 card at the O2.
“It (Wilder) could happen before a fight with David Haye. It’s possible I could bring Haye out of retirement. It would be a great match up.”
Though exercising some caution, he said;
“When the time is right and I’ve got the right experience, it will be a mega-fight – bigger than me vs Tyson Fury.”
Just be wary dealing with David Haye would be the advice of Fury to Anthony Joshua. He lost a year of his career through two “Hayemaker” pull outs. Yet after all his inactivity, naturally smaller size and advancing years, Anthony Joshua vs David Haye is a far more winnable fight for the Olympian than many may have you believe.
And as for Deontay Wilder? That’s a winnable fight too in the near future for the most exciting British heavyweight since Lennox Lewis.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison