IT all seemed set: Anthony Joshua, 15 straight wins with 15 inside-the-distance finishes, would likely fight a resurgent Dereck Chisora on April 9 at London’s O2 Arena. The latter’s name value and experience at world level – and the Sky Sports Box Office figures generated by Joshua’s exciting stoppage win over Dillian Whyte in December – would provide ample reason to make the clash pay-per-view, while Chisora’s aggressive style could test Joshua and, even if it did not, would contribute to another entertaining spectacle. Then the European Boxing Union changed the game by making Chisora mandatory for their heavyweight title opposite champion Robert Helenius, a man who defeated the Finchley fighter in highly controversial fashion in December 2011. That fight goes to purse bids next week (January 21) and, even if Dereck were to lose – but not get blown away – the a fight with Watford’s British and Commonwealth king would likely still be there for him.
All this means Joshua and promoters Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn, must find another opponent for the O2 but, luckily for him, Boxing News spoke to five men who would be willing to face him on April 9 – starting on the next page.
1. Kubrat Pulev – 22-1 (12)
THE Bulgarian has two facile wins since being drubbed by Wladimir Klitschko over a year ago and his promoter Nisse Sauerland says, “One million per cent, we’d take the Joshua fight, but I would be very surprised if they would want to fight Pulev. Not to say Joshua isn’t a great talent, but I think its too early. AJ’s potential is endless! But he is not ready for the likes of Alexander Povetkin or Pulev. I would fancy him against Deontay Wilder or the winner of Vyacheslav Glazkov v Charles Martin.”
2. David Allen – 8-0-1 (5)
The “White Rhino” from Conisbrough, unbeaten Allen has trained with the Furys – earning glowing praise in the process – he’s eligible for a British title shot and his manager and trainer, Stefy Bull, says he’s ready for Joshua: “David is crying out for a big fight. I would imagine they would go for Sam Sexton but I think that’s an easy fight for Joshua. David is young, very hungry and unbeaten, I believe David is the most naturally talented heavyweight out there in the UK besides Tyson Fury. In the past David has lacked motivation but that is no longer a problem. With the exception of Tyson Fury I believe David with notice could beat any heavyweight in Britain. He believes the same too.” Allen is set to fight next on February 13.
3. Sam Sexton – 21-3 (7)
SO what if Bull is right and Sexton, the ex-Commonwealth and Prizefighter king from Norwich, is the preferred choice; does he want it. “It’s a fight I’d love,” he declares. “I’m back again after a long layoff, fighting again on March 4 and there are no distractions now, I feel good and sharp. I saw the Dillian Whyte fight and it answered a few of my questions. Joshua has awesome power but I’ve always said when he fights someone who comes to win and not just make up the numbers he’d have problems. If Whyte had been used to training for 12-round fights we’d probably have seen a better and different fight. Joshua blew shimelf out fairly early in that fight. On my day I can beat anyone in the country.”
4. Eddie Chambers – 42-4 (23)
THE Philadelphian has mixed in the very highest class and is now at a stage of his career where he only wants meaningful fights. Joshua’s lofty ratings with the WBC and WBO are attractive to Chambers, while Eddie’s name value and friendship with Tyson Fury may attract Joshua’s team. “Absolutely, that would be the kind of opponent I would dream of at this point,” Chambers explained, “but the way I read it, it’s difficult for me to be put in that position unless he just chose me. Most guys just skip over me. He’d be the best opponent for me, I’d grab it with both hands.”
5. Hughie Fury – 18-0 (10)
THE British prospect with whom Joshua is most often compared, Hughie Fury is highly talented and the cousin of the world heavyweight champion AJ would one day like to challenge. “I got offered the fight when he had around five fights and I’d had about 10, my dad said, ‘We’ll take it,’ and we heard nothing from it. I’d take it tomorrow if he asked for it but I can’t see them going this route. He’s human and he can get hurt at the end of the day. If they put him in now against good opposition he’s going to come undone.”
