It’s an assured box-office smash and one of the biggest heavyweights fights in British boxing history, and promoter Eddie Hearn tells Sky Sports talks are already underway to make it happen: Tyson Fury, the world’s number-one and linear heavyweight king, against Anthony Joshua, the IBF ruler. Both men have upcoming fights to win first – Fury with his must-win return with Wladimir Klitschko on July 9th, Joshua with the somewhat easier challenge of Dominic Breazeale on June 25th (easier on paper anyway).
Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua boxing news and latest headlines
Showtime Signs Anthony Joshua
SHOWTIME Sports and Matchroom Boxing announced on Wednesday a multi-fight licensing agreement for Showtime Networks Inc., to be the exclusive U.S. television partner of undefeated heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. The announcement was made today at the Hilton Syon Park outside London by Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports and Eddie Hearn, President of Matchroom Sports.
Hearn eyes potential Anthony Joshua-Zhang Zhilei super-fight in China, “with a pay-per-view audience of tens of millions”
Anthony Joshua, the unbeaten holder of the IBF heavyweight title, is being groomed for stardom; global stardom. So much so that his promoter Eddie Hearn is already looking at having his star fighter box in what could be a huge event in China in the coming years, this in addition to trying to make Joshua a household name in the US. Hearn has spoken to the media about his plans to take 2012 Olympic gold medal winner Joshua to China, to possibly face former Olympic rival Zhang Zhilei.
Hearn looking to build solid under-card for Joshua-Breazeale show on June 25th: Eubank Jr, Price, Whyte, Smith all possibilities
Anthony Joshua will make the first defence of his newly acquired IBF heavyweight belt on June 25th, as fans know, against unbeaten Californian Dominic Breazeale. The fight will go out on Sky Sports, almost certainly on Box Office, and promoter Eddie Hearn is currently working on getting a good under-card to support the main event a number of fans think will not last too long. Joshua, a genuine star in the making, blasted Charles Martin inside two disappointing rounds to take the belt he now holds, and some people fear a similar result will be witnessed on June 25th.
Haye claims Joshua would beat Tyson Fury now
Heavyweight king Tyson Fury will not care one jot, but David Haye – the man who twice pulled out of a fight with Fury – claims newly crowned IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua would have too much for Fury if they fought “right now.” Speaking with Sky Sports, Haye went as far as to state how he doesn’t think Fury “has a shot in hell” against Joshua.
Tyson Fury lays into Anthony Joshua’s choice for first title challenger
It’s not at all surprising, but heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, upon hearing like the rest of us who newly crowned IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua will be facing in his first title defence, decided to put the boot in. Taking to his oft-used Twitter page shortly after reading how Joshua will defend against Dominic Breazeale on June 25th, Fury started off by saying we should all give Joshua a break, as he is still learning and doesn’t need to face a killer in his maiden defence.
Anthony Joshua vs Dominic Breazeale on June 25
Anthony Joshua MBE will make the first defence of his IBF World Heavyweight title against unbeaten American Dominic ‘Trouble’ Breazeale at The O2 in London on June 25. Joshua ripped took both the belt and unbeaten record of American Charles Martin at the same venue on April 9, and he’ll be looking to take another ‘0’ in his maiden defence.
Breazeale brings a formidable 17-0 record to the UK with 15 wins inside the distance and enters the clash on the back of forcing Amir Mansour to retire after five rounds of their clash in January. The Californian is no stranger to London having represented USA in the 2012 Olympic Games, where Joshua won gold.
Hearn now looking at Johann Duhaupas for Joshua’s first defence
As fans have most probably read, new IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua’s first title defence has been officially announced for expected venue The O2 in London, on June 25th (two weeks before world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury meets Wladimir Klitschko in their big rematch). Another big sell-out is anticipated, even though fans who are buying tickets do not yet know who the 16-0(16) Joshua’s challenger will be.
Joshua breaks down his three likely candidates: Stiverne, Molina, Breazeale
As has been reported previously, newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is likely to face one of the following three opponents in his first title defence set for June 25th: Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina or Dominic Breazeale. All three US heavyweights have strengths and weaknesses, and either fighter would make a good first title challenger for the 16-0(16) champ who has yet to be taken beyond the 7th-round.
Joshua’s first title challenger down to three likely names; Hearn says A.J wants “a real fight”
Newly crowned IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is already back in training after his explosive yet easy 2nd-round stoppage of Charles Martin. A.J doesn’t quite know who he will be fighting in his first defence as champion, but he is taking no shortcuts in training as he gets ready for his maiden defence. And his promoter Eddie Hearn, in speaking with Sky Sports today, said the short-list now consists of three likely names – all of them American fighters.
“The IBF put out there new rankings today and we have to box someone in the top-15 of those rankings,” the Matchroom boss said. “We expect from those rankings the likes of Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina, Dominic Breazeale. There has been big interest from US broadcasters. I think a US opponent makes sense. These are real guys and he wants a real fight.”