Anthony Joshua insists there will be no added pressure on him, but the IBF heavyweight champ will have not one but two big names checking out his upcoming performance as they hope to fight him next. Both Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye will be part of Sky Sports’ broadcast team for Joshua’s second defence against Eric Molina, and as much as the two will be impartial analysts, both men will be taking mental notes on how to defeat A.J.
Klitschko looks more likely to get next shot at the young and undefeated champion (although December 10’s challenger Eric Molina truly believes that he will shock Joshua, thus eliminating the big fight, for next year anyway) as Haye has his March 4 clash with Tony Bellew to take care of before he can fight anyone else. But Haye, in speaking with Sky Sports, says that if Klitschko does fight AJ next and beats him, then maybe he will get a rematch of his disappointing 2011 fight with “Dr. Steel Hammer.”
“I’ve always wanted the rematch,” Haye said, referring to his 2011 points defeat. “I’ve always wanted an opportunity to set the record straight and prove that wasn’t me on my best night, but maybe the chance has gone now. You never know. If he goes out there and knocks out Joshua then a rematch with myself and Klitschko could be one of the biggest rematches.”
Maybe. But maybe not. Klitschko may well fight Joshua next (assuming Molina does not score the upset a week on Saturday) and, with his experience, he could well beat the man who is nearly fifteen years his junior. If that happened, and if Haye beats Bellew (as most fans and experts seem to feel will be the case) would Klitschko even look Haye’s way? It seems doubtful, as Wladimir comprehensively beat Haye all those years ago. Why go over old ground?
But before all that, it will be fun seeing Klitschko and Haye in the Sky Sports studio together. Maybe not as much fun as it would be seeing Klitschko and Tyson Fury in the same studio together, but interesting all the same. Still, Haye says that today there is “no beef” between he and the fighter who he once vowed to destroy, even decapitate!