ANTHONY JOSHUA, the IBF champion with a megawatt smile and limitless marketability, is the most sought-after heavyweight on the planet. At this stage, he is the money man of the division, and everyone wants a piece.
He just systematically beat down Dominic Breazeale to defend his title for the first time and though he will take a short break from knocking people over, speculation is rife over who he will face next when he goes again in November.
Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko remain out of the picture due to the former picking up an injury, which has pushed their rematch back to October. Former titlist David Haye is eager to test Joshua, though a fight between them would be colossal in the UK and surely fit for a stadium – which wouldn’t be an option in November.
Slick Cuban Luis Ortiz is also set to box in September, virtually ruling him out. So, we’ve selected five realistic options for the Watford behemoth. Click below to check them out.
5. Kubrat Pulev
The ageing Bulgarian’s flaws were brutally exposed in 2014 when Wladimir Klitschko hammered him inside five rounds, however Pulev has earned himself a decent ranking with the IBF since then, most notably with a 12 round decision win over Dereck Chisora in May.
With wins over Alexander Dimitrenko, Alexander Ustinov and Tony Thompson, the 35-year-old is a proven commodity at world level and would provide Joshua with a stern test at this stage.
4. Bermane Stiverne
This fight would make more commercial sense for ‘AJ’ given that Stiverne is a one-time holder of the WBC world title. He’s also a decent talker and carries enough power to make him a legitimate threat.
He hasn’t fought since outpointing Derric Rossy over 10 in November, and has a clear schedule at the moment.
3. David Price
Before you scoff, consider the prospect. Two British Olympic medallists vying for a world title in an Olympic year, one a crossover juggernaut, the other a once heavily-touted contender on the road back from some tough losses.
Price has been reinstated back in the IBF’s rankings after his losses to drug cheats Tony Thompson and Erkan Teper, making him a viable option. Those losses came inside the distance, and while it remains true that anyone can be knocked out in heavyweight boxing, Price does have a proclivity to get tagged a little too often. That doesn’t bode well for his chances against Joshua, at first glance.
However the Liverpudlian isn’t afraid to let his hands go, and his size and range would also give Joshua something to think about. Add in the fact that Price’s right hand is as dangerous as anyone’s and suddenly he’s not so much of an underdog.
Their respective promoters have a solid working relationship and Price was ringside to watch Joshua batter Breazeale, clearly with a view to hopefully face him in the near future.
2. Deontay Wilder
Theoretically, the WBC champion would be top of the list. He is expected to wallop Chris Arreola on July 16 and if he were to march into a unification meeting with Joshua later in the year it would be cataclysmically big.
However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn stated that a fight with Wilder would be a dual pay-per-view in the UK and US, which they want to build towards over the next 12 months.
They’re both unbeaten world champions learning on the job and, at this stage, can probably afford to hold off fighting each other until next year. Which would make an out-of-the-blue announcement that they’re squaring off next even more awesome.
1. Joseph Parker
Parker and Joshua have been heavily linked over the past 12 months and it finally looks as though they will put their unbeaten records on the line against one another. Parker made himself mandatory challenger for Joshua’s title when he outpointed the tough Carlos Takam last month – a victory far better than any of Joshua’s, in fairness.
He is the bookies favourite to face Joshua next and the opponent who makes the most sense. Clearly, Joshua generates millions fighting relative no-hopers but the consensus seems to be that it’s time to step up.
Parker would likely enter as an underdog against Joshua, but he would easily be his toughest opponent to date and his solid chin, fast hands and clubbing power – as well as terrific engine and proven ability to go late into fights – make him a top challenger.
