By Jim Dower: #2 WBC, #2 WBO, #5 IBF, #12 WBA, Anthony Joshua 15-0, 15 KOs) could be facing unbeaten IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) in April. According to Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, they could know within the next 48 hours if that fight or another one will be taking place for Joshua.
Hearn has three to four different guys that they’re looking at for Joshua’s next fight on April 9 at the O2 Arena in London, UK. Hearn says that Martin’s management approached them about a fight, but asked for a lot of money. Hearn says he’s looking at whether the numbers will work for that fight.
It’s a little early in Joshua’s pro career to be fighting for a world title. But if he’s going to fight for a title, Martin would be the one that makes the most sense. Martin doesn’t punch with major power, and he’s not tricky to deal with. Martin just recently won the vacant IBF title last January when he stopped Vyacheslav Glazkov in the 3rd round.
“He’s IBF world champion and he’s been calling Anthony Joshua out,” Hearn said to skysports.com. “It shows the size of Anthony Joshua; you’ve got a world champion there calling Anthony Joshua out. He’s made some noise saying: ‘We’ve offered Anthony Joshua the fight.’ It doesn’t really work like that. You phoned us up and told us you want an extortionate amount of money and then you’ll fight him so we’re working the numbers on that fight.”
There won’t be a better chance for Joshua to win a world title the easy way then to face the 6’5” Martin. If Hearn and Joshua choose to wait for another opportunity, then they might need to wait until next year. IBO/WBA/WBO champion Tyson Fury has a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko that he needs to take care of. After that, Fury might choose to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
“It’s the 16th fight of Anthony Joshua’s career. Is it too early? It’s a huge gamble. Two relatively inexperienced guys,” Hearn said. “I think Charles Martin is 6ft 5in and Anthony’s 6ft 6in. They both punch with immense power. It’s one of those you might have to watch through your fingers.”
Fully focused on my development as a fighter. I won't be denied. #AJBoxing pic.twitter.com/MyJYX8EjIb
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) February 9, 2016
Martin isn’t a big puncher. Hearn is giving him a little too much credit for his power. Martin is volume puncher, and a southpaw. He can throw punches all night long but without a lot of power. Martin does have good size, and that could make the fight difficult for Joshua. Martin’s stamina is excellent and that could be a problem for Joshua, who has yet to go past the 7th round in his early career.
If Joshua can win the IBF title, then the belt will help validate him in the eyes of casual boxing fans from outside the UK. Right now, Joshua is just a contender that few fans know about outside of the UK. If Joshua can win the IBF title, then it’ll help him gain more credibility on the world stage for bigger fights.
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