In the words of one boxing pundit, it would have been “promotional suicide” for rival British heavyweight stars to have fought on the same night. Yet for a time, it looked as though the world heavyweight king and the newly crowned IBF heavyweight champ would indeed go head-to-head on rival shows on July 9th. But today, in speaking with BBC Sport, Joshua said it is “most unlikely” he will now box on July 9th.
“It was always on my mind to fight on the 9th of July, but there are other dates as well,” the unbeaten 26-year-old said. “Let Fury and Klitschko have their day. Let’s not mix anything up.”
Regarding Tyson Fury and a possible, or probable fight with him, Joshua told BBC Sport he feels the fight will more than likely be “fast-tracked.” “If he can beat Klitschko in the rematch, me and him can then meet in the future,” A.J said. “It seems like everyone wants that fight now.”
First will come Joshua’s maiden IBF title defence, with a June 25th date being possible. But as to who the challenger will be, we have not yet had any official confirmation at this early stage. As reported earlier, however, promoter Eddie Hearn says the opponent will likely be an American fighter, to please Showtime, who very much want to have a long working relationship with the heavyweight many people feel can become a global superstar.
Of the U.S fighters on Hearn’s list: Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina, Malik Scott and Jarrell Miller – former WBC champ Stiverne would arguably have the best chance of extending Joshua. Miller, the unbeaten 27-year-old, would perhaps be the most interesting/potentially dangerous first challenger for A.J (and Miller, in an interview earlier this year, said he’d break Joshua’s jaw!) but will Miller – still a work in progress – take the fight at this stage in his promising career?
Then again, Joshua himself is still a work in progress, his winning the IBF belt has not changed that. Joshua acknowledges he needs more experience before he’s ready for the big testing fights, but which of the fighters Hearn has listed as potential foes would be able to give Joshua that added experience?
Meanwhile, Joshua says he will be rooting for and supporting Fury in his return meeting with Klitschko. Despite the apparent bad blood between the two Brits, Joshua says a second Fury win would be “good for British boxing.” And of course that mega-fight between Fury and Joshua will grow and grow as long as the two remain unbeaten champions.
