By Radio Rahim
If both fighters continue to win, a blockbuster unification showdown is guaranteed between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) and IBF, IBO, WBA Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs), according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.
Before that collision can happen, both boxers would have to be successful in their upcoming assignments.
Wilder will defend his title against undefeated Cuban puncher Luis Ortiz on November 4th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. And Joshua will face mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev on October 28th at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Hearn really likes the fight between Wilder and Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs). He feels Ortiz is a very dangerous opponent, and Wilder beating him will only make a Joshua contest even bigger.
There is also a unification that Joshua can target with WBO champion Joseph Parker - but Hearn was very unimpressed after watching Parker's points win on Saturday over Hughie Fury.
"Wilder-Ortiz is a really good fight. Wilder is now in a really good fight. He hasn't been in any good fights yet, not his fault. Joshua is coming off a Klitschko fight and Wilder is now fighting Ortiz," Hearn said to BoxingScene.com.
"If he comes through on the other side, we are really starting to build a super-fight here. Joshua will fight anyone, no problem. We're looking at the winner of that fight in spring, summer. Guaranteed that you will see Joshua fight the winner of that fight, before 2018 is out, for sure.
"Parker just fought Fury. It was one of the worst heavyweight fights I've ever seen. So his stock has just plummeted but we still want his belt. Joshua-Wilder is the fight. Two young, explosive heavyweights. It's becoming a super-fight. If it becomes a pay-per-view fight over here [in America], which I think it is, we don't mind coming here, and it's huge in the UK."
2023-10-19 15:42:34
2023-10-19 15:44:06
