Joshua Weighs Up His Options

IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua says he has drawn up a short list of opponents for his first title defence on June 25.

The original plan was to make his first title defence on July 9 the same night fellow Briton and world champion Tyson Fury rematches Wladimir Klitschko but Team Joshua has bowed to fan pressure and chose to fight tw week earlier.

Joshua, 16-0-(16), is considering a number of options including Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina and Dominic Breazeale.

Speaking to Sky Sports Joshua said: "I think Eddie (Hearn) did a great job, he listened to some of the fans who said ’we want AJ to fight on his own date, let [Fury] have his own date to defend his title," said Joshua.

"Eddie took that into account and we’re now looking at June 25. I was happy with July 9, I would have fought on that day but we decided to shift it.

"He mentioned some opponents, some undefeated, some that have been beaten but are tough - so it’s really what I want, what he wants and, most importantly, what the public want."

Joshua added: "They all sound good to me. We’ve got Stiverne who unfortunately got beat - no one likes to lose. But he’s very tough and can take a beating.

"People want to see who can stand up for the 12 rounds and whether I’d get drawn into a fight.

"Molina, we saw him fight the current WBC champion [Deontay] Wilder. He rocked him and gave him some problems but Wilder managed to get him out of there. He’s still a very, very dangerous opponent.

"Then we’ve got Breazeale who’s undefeated. He’s a great amateur like myself, Olympian like myself and he’s making his way through the professional ranks so he’s up and coming, hungry and I’m sure he wants to prove himself not as a prospect but a true contender.

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April 20, 2016