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.”

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Courageous Nick Blackwell Tweets how he is “on the mend,” gives thanks for the overwhelming support he’s had

In good news, Nick Blackwell has felt well enough to return to Twitter, for the first time in a month. As fans know, the gutsy middleweight engaged in a brutal fight with Chris Eubank Junior and was placed in an induced coma shortly after lapsing into unconsciousness after the 10th-round stoppage defeat. Thankfully, no brain surgery was needed and Blackwell, who regained consciousness a week after the fight, now says he is “on the mend.”

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Tyson Fury starts first day of training camp for Klitschko rematch, has plenty of weight to shift

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has begun his training for the July 9th return fight with Wladimir Klitschko, with Fury entering camp for day-one earlier today. And the 27-year-old, by his own admission, really is a heavyweight, with plenty of excess weight to lose before the fight. Tyson will be training alongside his cousin, unbeaten prospect Hughie Fury, under the watchful eye of trainer and uncle Peter.

Peter Fury wrote in a Tweet earlier today how, “9th July the real journey begins,” and those who know how Team-Fury work have faith in Peter having his fighter fully focused and ready for the fight at hand. Still, Fury, a big man indeed at 6’9” and around 250 to 255-pounds when in top fighting shape, needs to lose close to a fifth of that weight for the rematch. As Tyson Tweeted a couple of hours ago:

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DiBella hugely impressed and excited by Errol Spence Jr

Promoter Lou DiBella, who has been involved in boxing for many years – working with the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Paulie Malignaggi and many other world champions during his tenure in the sport – is hugely excited about his newest star, Errol Spence Junior. Speaking at the post-fight press conference for Spence Junior’s very impressive 5th-round stoppage of the durable and experienced Chris Algieri, DiBella said the southpaw welterweight “has the potential to beat anyone in the world today.”

“What this guy just did is scary,” DiBella said as quoted by RingTV.com. “The talent that he has, this guy’s ceiling is higher than anyone I’ve seen in a long, long time.”

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Can Wladimir Klitschko become a three-time heavyweight champion?

There will be a lot on the line on the night of July 9th; for Tyson Fury and for Wladimir Klitschko. Reigning and defending heavyweight champion Fury will be out to prove his title-winning effort against Klitschko was not a fluke, while Klitschko will be shooting for revenge. And history. If 40-year-old Klitschko can regain the crown against Fury, he will become just the second three-time heavyweight ruler in boxing history (along with Muhammad Ali; Evander Holyfield being the only four-time champ at heavyweight) and Wladimir will become the third oldest heavyweight champ ever (after George Foreman and Vitali Klitschko).

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Errol Spence Junior calls out Kell Brook; finally a great fight for the IBF welterweight champ?

http://youtu.be/4M0b_gucXe8

Unbeaten welterweight sensation Errol Spence Junior looked terrific in becoming the first man to stop Chris Algieri last night in New York. Fast, powerful, accurate and showing fine finishing skills, Spence Junior, now 20-0(17) passed the biggest test of his hugely promising career with apparent ease. Looking for all the world like a future world champion and superstar, Spence Junior seems to have that look the special fighters have.

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Knockout Night at the D has boxing fans dying to see what’s next

Very exciting and action packed line up of up and coming fighters this weekend presented by Roy … continue

Errol Spence, Jr. scores 5th Rd TKO over Chris Algieri

Chris Algieri (21-3-0, KO8) couldn’t muster up much of a test for Errol “The Truth” Spence, Jr. (20-0-0, 17KO) at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York. He promised fans he would be Errol’s toughest test, but he barely provided a “True or False” quiz. He tried to counter the odds makers low opinion of his chances by explaining he did his homework. He assured fans that he studied film of the young Texan, and saw areas he might exploit. Sure Spence was the power puncher, but he planned to tag Errol early in the fight and make him respect his own power. Errol was going to know that he wasn’t going to be able to walk through him.

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Russell stops Hyland; Pedraza decisions Smith

WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. retained his title with a remarkable TKO of Irishman Patrick Hyland Saturday on SHOWTIME from Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. In the co-feature, Jose Pedraza defended his IBF Junior Lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Stephen Smith.

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Glowacki outpoints Cunningham

Polish star Krzysztof Glowacki (26-0, 16 KOs) sent former world champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-8-1, 13 KOs) to the canvas four times on his way to a unanimous decision to retain his cruiserweight world title in front of a raucous Polish-heavy crowd.

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