Anthony Joshua boxing news and latest headlines
Brixton’s Dillian Whyte, sporting his new “Body Snatcher” moniker disposed of Brazil’s Irineu Costa Jnr (now 17-5, 15ko) in effortless fashion last night ahead of his penciled in clash with old amateur rival and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua later this year.
Joshua boxes Scotland’s Gary Cornish for the vacant Commonwealth title on September 12th in London, with Whyte scheduled also to box again on that date against a TBA opponent before their eventual November/December meeting.
Long dominant undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has seen a lot in his time in boxing, yet in “25 years” the giant Ukrainian claims never to have seen as good a prospect as Britain’s unbeaten former Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua.
After destroying American veteran Kevin Johnson inside two rounds in May in what was meant to be his toughest test yet, the former Olympic gold medalist feels he is on a faster than anticipated career arc, possibly eyeing a world title shot towards the end of 2016/early 2017 should everything go as planned.
Once, more top heavy than Alice Eve, the heavyweight division is starting to develop some depth of talent that has also awakened an interest in the glamour division long bereft of such. Seemingly forever dominated by the name Klitschko, whether it be Vitali or Wladimir, there are new names and personalities appearing amongst the giants that don’t remind us of a robot manufacturer. One island nation known for their infatuation with the division, is leading the way developing excitement and talent north of 14 stone. By now you know I’m talking about the braggadocios Brits.
With the news of verbal sparring partners Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte agreeing to fight later this year, coupled with Tyson Fury battling the aforementioned Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight crown; it gives credence to the sentiment that the future and the present state of the division could fly under the Union Jack.
After the 2 fighters once again began trading barbs over twitter yesterday, and a host of fight fans began chucking in their two cents, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn was forced to publicly intervene, thus giving his clearest indication yet that the big domestic heavyweight clash between rising star Anthony Joshua and Brixton’s Dillian Whyte is firmly on his radar for later this year.
After tweeting that he would allow the two undefeated prospects to go at it in the ring, Hearn has today given an interview with Sky Sports in which he says he is eyeing November or December for the clash – a fight he refers to as “inevitable”.
Standing 6 foot 6 inches and tipping the scales for his last fight at a ripped 248 1/2 pounds, the sight of Anthony Joshua is surely not what any boxer wants in the opposite corner when that first bell rings.
After just over a year and a half as a professional, the reigning Olympic super heavyweight champion from Watford has torn through thirteen opponents – all by stoppage. The normally durable American, Kevin Johnson, was recently hammered through the ropes in the first round, somehow surviving a couple more minutes before the referee had seen enough. No opponent has made it to the fourth round.
Not so long ago, it was between David Price and Tyson Fury as to who the next big British heavyweight was going to be, with the two men looking to be on an eventual collision course to decide. Anthony Joshua had barely turned professional.
And then along came wily old veteran Tony Thompson and the wheels came off for David Price. After those two career-derailing knockouts that left Price on the heavyweight scrap heap, Tyson Fury went his own way and is now set to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO title later this year.
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.
It takes something very special to steal a show from three world title fights, all in one night, all on one card. And for that something special to come from a 12 fight novice is something even more impressive.
Yet, special and impressive are understatements in regards to just how good Anthony Joshua looked on the Rule Britannia Matchroom Boxing card last Saturday in London. Joshua put in a performance so devastatingly good many think he may be one of the very best in the division already, just 18 months into his professional career.
The fire of excitement surrounding London 2012 gold medallist Anthony Joshua, from both the hardcore fight fans and those who follow the sport a little less closely, has been burning intensely for months now – and following his seemingly effortless destruction of Kevin Johnson last weekend, expectation and interest in the Watford star has reached a career high level.
Arguably the freshest, strongest and most talented heavyweight prospect that the UK has seen since the days of Lennox Lewis (who won his Olympic gold for Canada), those growing more and more convinced he will – over the next 18 months/2 years – develop into the finished article, are now left with an awkward situation on their hands, asking the same questions as promoter Eddie Hearn.