Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn believes Anthony Joshua is set to become a boxing phenomenon – and very soon. The British boxing promoter recently told TalkSport.com that his fighter could capture a Heavyweight title within the next year, and is also eligible to receive Floyd Mayweather’s torch when he retires. For the record, Deontay Wilder also believes he is the man to fill Mayweather’s shoes.
Joshua, one of Hearn’s biggest cash cows (in addition to fighters like Kell Brook and Carl Froch), recently demolished Kevin Johnson inside 2 rounds at the 02 Arena, London. Following the brief encounter, the 6′ 6″ prospect extended his record to 13-0, 13 KO which looks to be mirroring Wilder’s. To date, no opponent has been beyond the four round mark thanks to Joshua’s devastating power and Amateur pedigree which lead to an Olympic Gold Medal.
When asked if the 25-year-old fighter would bring home a world title strap within the next year, Hearn seemed confident:
“I think so, I think that’s around the right time before he will be challenging. He’s number two in the WBC and all the governing bodies are trying to put him up in to the mandatory position already, but he’s just not quite ready.”
Hearn went on to explain that though the public feel Joshua is ready to fight for a world title now, he’d prefer to throw Johsua in with a few fighters capable of lasting a few rounds. Not that Hearn hasn’t already tried. The promoter was adamant that Joshua’s last two opponents, Raphael Love and Johnson, weren’t handpicked, and that he really had brought them in to ask questions of Joshua.
“It’s really the case of that he needs the rounds, and it’s trying to find people that will give him rounds,” Hearn explained. “It’s very difficult, the price is going up by five, ten, twenty percent every time he gets into the ring. But the signs are fantastic at the moment – his speed and punch power are frightening. These are very exciting times for British boxing.”
On Joshua’s future international star power:
“We have got someone, in my opinion, who could be the biggest star in boxing since Floyd Mayweather…or even bigger. I think he can transcend the sport, and not just in this country.”
Hearn said he is open to welcoming some big names into the ring with Joshua in the very near future, and named a few potential opponents:
“I do like the David Haye fight at Wembley next year, that’s a great fight. I also like the Deontay Wilder fight, the [Wladimir] Klitschko fight and the [Tyson] Fury fight. He’s not going to have a problem with any of them and he’s going to do huge numbers at all times.”
Do you agree with Hearn’s bold plans for Joshua? Let us know below!
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