Joshua needs another fight before Fury, Wilder - Hearn
Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn believes the British Nigerian needs one more fight before he faces the heavyweight division elite of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder or Oleksandr Usyk.
The two-time world heavyweight champion got back to winning ways over Jermaine Franklin on April 1, but analysts said another fight under new trainer Derrick James would be smart before that. 'he only goes for the highest rated boxers.
Despite this, Joshua announced that he would not be fighting in July as planned, signing up straight for a fight in December.
It's definitely not a decision taken from a tactical standpoint, as Hearn told DAZN that Joshua had to take things slowly.
"You better be honest and say Look, we're here." I need him to have another fight with a slightly higher level than Jermaine Franklin to mingle with Derrick James, hopefully go there with a little more confidence to prepare him for Fury or Wilder in December.
There is speculation as to why this decision was made, although Hearn said it was not finalized and that this includes coaching commitments, injuries or the promise of a big budget fight too good to risk injury or defeat.
"We're not ruling that out (Fury and Wilder). We'll be watching them. If a big deal comes in or a big site comes in, unlikely in July, but I really want to see a momentum,” he told DAZN.
Whether or not the big venue offer has arrived for the winter remains to be seen, but it's hard to believe given the current situation in the heavyweight division.
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Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn believes the British Nigerian needs one more fight before he faces the heavyweight division elite of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder or Oleksandr Usyk.
The two-time world heavyweight champion got back to winning ways over Jermaine Franklin on April 1, but analysts said another fight under new trainer Derrick James would be smart before that. 'he only goes for the highest rated boxers.
Despite this, Joshua announced that he would not be fighting in July as planned, signing up straight for a fight in December.
It's definitely not a decision taken from a tactical standpoint, as Hearn told DAZN that Joshua had to take things slowly.
"You better be honest and say Look, we're here." I need him to have another fight with a slightly higher level than Jermaine Franklin to mingle with Derrick James, hopefully go there with a little more confidence to prepare him for Fury or Wilder in December.
There is speculation as to why this decision was made, although Hearn said it was not finalized and that this includes coaching commitments, injuries or the promise of a big budget fight too good to risk injury or defeat.
"We're not ruling that out (Fury and Wilder). We'll be watching them. If a big deal comes in or a big site comes in, unlikely in July, but I really want to see a momentum,” he told DAZN.
Whether or not the big venue offer has arrived for the winter remains to be seen, but it's hard to believe given the current situation in the heavyweight division.
Please share this story:
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