JOSEPH PARKER is the bookmakers’ favourite to fight IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua next.
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On June 25, from the O2 Arena in London, unbeaten IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will make the first defense of his title belt against undefeated American Dominic Breazeale.
Joshua, 26, has registered three KO wins, won a world title and defended it since Fury out-pointed Klitschko and the 2012 Olympic gold medallist is excited about his future, with or without Fury.
“I’m exhausted and I’m working hard”, said Joshua, who improved his professional record to 17-0 since winning the Olympic title in 2012 in London. “I only had two weeks off after my last fight (against Charles Martin in April) and now I want to have a nice bit of time off”. “I’m just waiting for them to set a date, let me know where it is, and let’s get it on”, he added. I need to rest.
Joshua sent Breazeale to the canvas early in the seventh round with a flurry that included a hard right cross that did most of the damage.
Breazeale survived that crisis but in the third round his right eye was nearly swollen shut but he bravely battled on to become just the second professional opponent to take Joshua past three rounds.
Continuing his flawless knockout streak and undefeated record, Joshua is only 26 years old, with one of the world championship belts.
The likely opponent right now is New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, who is his mandatory challenger, while a fight against fellow Briton Tyson Fury has now been cast into doubt.
“I want people to have question marks, if I show people what I’ve got, I won’t get this fight”.
While Breazeale was able to withstand Joshua’s best punches through the first half of the fight, Joshua was unfazed by the American’s own power punches, and the Brit was in full control all the way.
“I’m making waves in the US now and one day I’m sure (WBC holder) Deontay Wilder and I will get to experience what each other are all about”, Joshua, who wore white in memory of heavyweight great Muhammad Ali, said.
‘(Fury’s ankle) injury has kind of made the decision for us.
“I was really looking at Tyson Fury”.
He said in an interview with Sky Sports: “One of the fights that I’m going to have, I will go there”.
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Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) laid a beating on Breazeale, a former Olympian, from the opening bell and it was never remotely competitive.
