Anthony Joshua has just overcome the best heavyweight of the past decade, but thoughts are already turning to his next opponent.
Joshua stopped Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round of their epic bout at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. Quite often, heavily hyped boxing matches don’t live up to the billing.
However, Saturday’s bout surpassed expectations and could end up being the fight of the year. It was certainly the best heavyweight fight in recent years.
Joshua dug deep, and came back from being knocked down, to overwhelm Klitschko in the penultimate round. Ironically, the Ukrainian put in arguably his best display in years, despite the defeat.
Joshua is just 27, and only 19 fights into his professional career. If he can beat Klitschko, he’ll be confident of dispatching any opponent and he has several options for his next bout.
Klitschko claims he has the option of a rematch, while Tyson Fury immediately called out Joshua on Twitter following Saturday’s fight.
Joshua seems game for that fight, and called out Fury in the ring.
Anthony Joshua knows exactly who he wants next after downing Wladimir Klitschko https://t.co/6pvzG8ZZP9
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 30, 2017
The IBF champion added the WBA (Super) and IBO titles after defeating Klitschko on Saturday night, and would surely set his sights on eventually unifying all the titles in the division.
That could mean a potential bout with Deontay Wilder, the WBC heavyweight champion.
The Bronze Bomber was at Wembley for Joshua’s victory, and didn’t deny he’s eyeing up a “mega-fight” with Joshua. But he first wants to dispatch Joseph Parker and win the WBO belt.
That would set up a unification fight with Joshua, and there’s no doubt they would sell-out Wembley Stadium.
“Like I said before, it’s all about unification now,” Wilder told Sky Sports.
“I want to do my thing and go get those other belts.
“At the end of the year, we have a mega fight. Winner takes all, considered the best man on the planet.”
Wilder also said he’d be willing to come to England to fight, and the American even entertained the prospect of a fight with Tony Bellew, who beat David Haye earlier this year.
Wladimir Klitschko goes up in everyone's estimation with first tweet following Anthony Joshua defeat https://t.co/fepS8qyvTe
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 30, 2017
“I’m very comfortable over here,” the 31-year-old said.
“I love coming over here. Every time I come over here I get much love, so if I had to come over here, I would come with open arms, without hesitation.”
“You beat David Haye, that’s put you on your high horse,” Wilder said to Bellew, who was alongside him on Sky Sports.
“A fight with me and you, that’s what the fans are beating up right now.
“I’m down for whatever, Tony. Whatever the fans want. What better way to make my name even bigger in England?”
Wilder has won all 38 of his professional bouts, 37 by knockout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C663PQAnaT0
