ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to make the next defence of his IBF world heavyweight title on November 26, though an opponent has not yet been finalised.
As it stands, there are three names realistically in the running – Kubrat Pulev, Bermane Stiverne and Joseph Parker. The good news is that all three would provide Joshua with a much-needed challenge, and while the Watford behemoth would start as favourite over any of them, they would all ask him different questions.
There are, of course, other options. David Price is banging the drum for a Joshua fight and is ranked highly by the IBF. David Haye is super keen to get his hands on fellow Londoner ‘AJ’, though his next steps still remain a mystery.
For now, we will assess the three names Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed make up the shortlist.
Kubrat Pulev
Age: 35
Record: 23-1 (12)
Last fight: w pts 12 Dereck Chisora
The Bulgarian brute was a standout amateur, claiming medals at World and European championships. Though he’s only had 24 paid fights, Pulev has been a professional since 2009 and amassed a decent chunk of experience.
In 2012 he knocked out both Alexander Ustinov and Alexander Dimitrenko before outpointing the wily Tony Thompson in 2013. A year later he found himself out of his depth against Wladimir Klitschko, pummelled inside five rounds.
He bounced back with low-level wins before outpointing Chisora in May, a win which saw him become European champion for a second time and shoot him up the IBF rankings.
That Joshua still holds an 100 per cent knockout ratio doesn’t bode well for someone who has floored four times by Klitschko. However, Pulev is a durable, solid operator with a great jab and a decent work rate.
Despite the loss to Wladimir, Pulev is still one of the world’s top five heavyweights and would be Joshua’s toughest foe to date by a country mile.
With his in-ring knowledge and world title ambitions, Pulev won’t go down without a fight and could force Joshua into the later rounds. Though he is 35, Pulev also knows how to pace himself in fights and can be economical in his work when required.
His win over Chisora does make him more marketable, but having fought almost exclusively in Germany Pulev is unlikely to move the needle with ‘casual’ fans of the sport.
Bermane Stiverne
Age: 37
Record: 25-2-1 (21)
Last fight: w pts 10 Derric Rossy
A former WBC world heavyweight champion who went the distance with Deontay Wilder, Stiverne is probably the easiest opponent to sell.
An stoppage loss to Demetrice King early in his career has largely been forgoteen about, as has the six-round draw he fought Charles Davis to a couple of years later. He went on to twice beat Chris Arreola, firstly on points before stopping him in six to claim the vacant WBC title.
He lost it straight away when Wilder outpointed him over 12 last year.
If Stiverne is chosen for Joshua, it will enter the ring having not fought in a year – and that last outing being against unheralded Rossy – which is not ideal preparation for 26-year-old wrecking ball Joshua.
While lasting the distance with a puncher like Wilder is impressive, Stiverne’s performance in that fight was bizarre. Claiming he was dehydrated (which, for a heavyweight, seems nonsensical), Stiverne absorbed punishment while throwing little back and allowed Wilder to waltz off with his title.
Despite that showing, Stiverne could pose a threat to Joshua’s crown. Though not the fittest of heavyweights, Stiverne carries concussive power and throws shots from awkward angles, making his punches all the more damaging.
He can also be quite slick at times, evading opponent’s blows with upper body movement. However he spends too much time on the ropes and if Joshua were to begin teeing off, it wouldn’t end well for Stiverne.
Joseph Parker
Age: 24
Record: 20-0 (17)
Last fight: w rsf 4 Solomon Haumono
Easily the pick of the bunch. Ever since Parker became Joshua’s mandatory challenger in May, boxing fans have been eager for these two unbeaten punchers to square off.
To earn that No 1 challenger status Parker pulled off a career-best win to beat Carlos Takam over 12 rounds. That win, while raising some questions about the New Zealander, also answered plenty more and proved he can mix at world level. Indeed, Takam is better than anyone Joshua has beaten so far.
Parker has already fought since then, when he hammered Haumono, and is scheduled to fight Alexander Dimitrenko on October 1. It’s that sort of busy schedule which has helped him rapidly move through the ranks.
Takam tested Parker’s chin and it held firm, though the young contender found himself visibly tired at times, a sign of his inexperience. He battled through though and fought well up until the final bell.
He can certainly punch, but Parker’s best asset may be his speed – a challenge Joshua has not yet had to deal with.
His clash with Dimitrenko probably rules him out of getting the Joshua fight at this stage, though.
