The British heavyweight sensation will get his first shot at a world title in just his 16th professional fight against the American.
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The fight was announced on Sunday by Joshua’s promoters.
Joshua currently holds the WBC International Heavyweight title, and now he is looking to add Martin’s world title to his CV.
The 26-year-old Joshua won a gold medal in the London Olympics in 2012 and has won all 15 of his professional fights.
One of Martin’s recent wins before his world title crack came against previously retired Brit Tom Dallas, who was sparked by David Price in two rounds back in 2011.
Joshua would be thrust into his first world championship fight should Martin be confirmed as the opponent for April, but Hearn said last week: “He’s not our only option. Charles Martin is a great fighter and a hungry competitor, so I am going to have to produce the performance of my career to claim that belt”.
“I told my team I wanted the best challenger possible for my first defence and Anthony Joshua’s name kept coming up”, said Martin.
IBF champ Charles Martin does have more professional experience and is similarly unbeaten. “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to turn that dream in to reality”.
Said Mike Borao, Martin’s manager: “Charles is only interested in fighting the best and being a superstar, not being average”.
Little could be gleaned from that bout because virtually nothing happened.
The IBF belt had only become vacant after Tyson Fury stunned Wladimir Klitschko in November to also claim the WBA and WBO titles. He had not been expected to challenge for a world title until the end of this year, but opportunity knocked early against a champion who will be seen as very beatable.
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However, there was a rematch clause in the fight meaning Fury could not defend his IBF belt and he was stripped of it, allowing the unheralded Martin to tackle Glazkov for the prize.
