The long list of fighters wanting to fight Anthony Joshua will get a bit shorter after November 4th.
WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and challenger Luis Ortiz will fight for the chance to get a shot against the number one heavyweight on the planet.
Joshua is fighting Kubrat Pulev on October 28th and Wilder’s fight with Ortiz will happen shortly after. For once the timing is on boxing fan’s side. Promoter Eddie Hearn believes that the aftermath from both fights will lead to an eventual UK vs. US super fight.
The promoter was surprised about the timing of both fights as it fits the schedule perfectly.
“A complete fluke. It just happened. Pulev is our mandatory which we had to fight. Ortiz is our WBA mandatory. We tried to make that fight and secure his [Ortiz] signature for February. Wilder-Ortiz is a really good fight and now Wilder is in a real fight. He hasn’t been in any fights yet. Not his fault. But Joshua is coming of a Klitschko fight, now Wilder is fighting Ortiz and if he comes through to the other side, we’re starting to really build a super fight here,” he said in an interview with Seconds Out.
Hearn has his sights set on a possible spring or summer super fight.
“We’re looking at spring or summer next year. I am sure you will Joshua against the winner of Wilder-Ortiz before 2018 is out for sure. Hopefully during the first half of that year,” told Hearn.
One heavyweight who isn’t getting as much attention in this scenario is Joseph Parker. The WBO World champion recently retained his title against Hughie Fury but Hearn wasn’t impressed at all and thinks that the Kiwi is not a legitimate draw.
“Joseph Parker boxed, it was one of the worst heavyweight fights I’ve ever seen. So his stock has just plummeted but we still want his belt, but I’d like to see some Brits face him. Wilder is the fight,” he commented.
After Pulev, the plan for Team Joshua is to fight abroad according to Hearn. This means that Joshua could make his anticipated US debut against Wilder.
“Two young explosive fast heavyweights that look good. That’s a super fight and it’s gonna get bigger and bigger but he’s going to have beat Ortiz first. We have no problem coming to the states. Obviously, it’s massive in the UK as well. The goal for us after the Pulev fight is to have a couple of fights on the road,” Hearn summarised.
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