Breazeale stayed in there despite earlier assaults from the Watford world champ who was always looking to explode.
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On Saturday Big Joshua will be far more cautious than in his previous fights before opening gaps, landing heavily and finally stepping back as the front row shouts “timber” to the whoosh of Breazeale tumbling over.
Pint-sized comedian Hart took aim at Joshua’s “rolling of the shoulders” by describing it as “stupid, stupid, stupid”.
After dictating the sixth round, Joshua stormed out of the blocks in the seventh, with a stunning combination sending Breazeale to the canvas.
The Olympic gold medallist from London 2012 has compiled a fearsome 16-0 professional record, with all wins by knockout and only one – against fellow Briton Dillian Whyte in December – lasting beyond three rounds.
Fury, 27, is due to fight former world No 1 Wladimir Klitschko later in the year after he last week pulled out a scheduled fight date of July 9 due to a sprained ankle. Hearn added that if he is, negotiations would be concluded in the coming days.
Only two fights ago he was at risk of defeat when hurt by Dillian Whyte, who he said he found more hard. Promoter Eddie Hearn, however, revealed Parker is their favoured option once Joshua has recovered from the intense run that began with February’s announcement of his fight with Charles Martin.
“The injury has kind of made the decision for us. One day, we’ll get to experience what each other’s about”.
Joshua told Sky Sports: “I only had two weeks off after my last fight and now I want to have a nice bit of time off”.
A mandatory defence against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, who has stopped 16 out of 19 opponents, will have to be dealt with – possibly by the end of the year – before fights against the two other world heavyweight champions can be considered.
“Yeah, no problem as long as I’m rested well, I’m healed up well”. I’m exhausted. I’m working hard.
WBC champion Deontay Wilder faces fellow American Chris Arreola on July 16 and Joshua has expressed an interest in fighting the victor.
“We’ve had approaches from Africa, China, United Arab Emirates, to bring him there and have fights and that’s something I’d like him to do”.
“I’ve seen Deontay Wilder calling out AJ’s name”. Martin came from the same construction camp; Breazeale, make no mistake, is a better fighter.
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“He has a little speed, a little power, it’s the heavyweight game that is what we do”.
