OK, it won’t come as riveting news per se this Tuesday evening, but it does say a great deal about the healthy business relationship between Anthony Joshua and Matchroom Boxing.
Joshua, whose 14 short-lived fights have ended in brutal knockouts, is arguably Hearn’s biggest attraction, both literally and in terms of public appeal. And things will remain that way as long as Joshua continues in his campaign of destruction.
“I have been part of the Matchroom family for a number of years now and I am really excited that the relationship will be continuing,” Joshua told Boxing News. “They have an exceptional and passionate team from Eddie downwards.
“Matchroom have provided me with the perfect platform to get my professional career started and there was never a question that they were the guys, with Sky Sports, to help move me to the next level and ultimately to a shot at the Heavyweight World Championship.”
Joshua may have captured Olympic gold, but the 25-year-old is already set to make a fortune in just his fifteenth contest on December 12th. Joshua will lock horns with Amateur scene rival Dillian Whyte as he puts his British and Commonwealth titles on the line before a sold out London crowd at the O2 Arena.
“It’s an absolute honour to announce a new three-year exclusive promotional deal with Anthony Joshua,” Hearn said. “The first two years have been a great experience and I feel the journey has been faultless both in and out of the ring.
“Anthony’s profile has continued to grow … [he] has already become one of the hottest commodities in World sport and we are blessed with the responsibility of helping to guide Anthony Joshua to the World Heavyweight title and ultimately unifying the division.”
From where I’m sitting, unifying the division shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Joshua may be young, and yes, still pretty much untested, but we’re yet to witness a single flaw in his game. Joshua’s ring smarts easily eclipse that of world leaders like Alexander Povetkin, Deontay Wilder, and possibly even Wladimir Klitschko himself.
And yes, even zany entertainer Tyson Fury.
A premature statement if ever there was one. But right now, especially in this weary Heavyweight landscape, I don’t mind going on record with that bold call. Hell, it isn’t even really that bold?
Chime in with your take on Anthony Joshua’s lucrative inking with powerhouse promoter Eddie Hearn, and, what the future has in store for them. Assuming Joshua gets past Whyte, who will Hearn gear him towards next? Tyson Fury? Or will that domestic clash be left to marinate while Joshua blasts away some European challengers first?
