Former two division world champion and now Golden Boy Promotions executive Bernard Hopkins is giving the edge to IBF, IBO, WBA champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) to defeat WBC champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) in a unification.
If both boxers come through in their upcoming bouts, there is talk of a unification fight next summer - in the UK or Las Vegas.
Joshua would have to overcome mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria next month in Cardiff, and then Wilder is being lined to face Cuba's Luis Ortiz in November at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Hopkins does not give Joshua a big edge to win, but he does give him the edge to come out on top.
"I think he [Joshua] is more savvy, the veteran - even though he is not a veteran," said Hopkins to Sky Sports. "He has experience and he'll fight with great confidence. I have to give the edge to him, I really do. Not a big edge, but I have to give it to Joshua based on, not just his size - but that's a factor, but the way he believes in himself. Look how he fights."
Hopkins believes Joshua would have to fight in the United States, against the top fighters, in order to become a superstar in the sport. Wilder already has a television deal with Showtime, and his last fight - a stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko in April - was televised by both HBO and Showtime in the United States.
"What he needs to do is to come to America and fight the top champions, if they are willing to fight. The top contenders, if they are willing to fight," Hopkins said.
"He has the ingredients, he definitely has the personality and he can flat out fight. A superstar in the **. He is in the position to become the face of the heavyweight division. Right now, I can't give him that."
2023-10-19 12:18:42
2023-10-19 12:20:28
