Joshua to fight Molina in 2nd defense of heavyweight title

Anthony Joshua will make the second defense of his IBF world heavyweight title in a fight against American challenger Eric Molina on December 10.

Joshua's promoters announced the fight yesterday. It will take place at the Manchester Arena in northern England, a rare fight outside London for the unbeaten British boxer.

It is the 34-year-old Molina's second world title fight, after losing to compatriot Deontay Wilder for the WBC belt in June last year. Molina beat Tomasz Adamek in the 10th round of their fight for the IBF inter-continental belt in April.

Joshua, whose 17 straight professional wins have all come inside the distance, won the world title by knocking out Charles Martin in the second round at London's O2 Arena in April. He successfully defended the IBF belt with a seventhround win over Dominic Breazeale, also in London.

Joshua had hoped to fight former world champion Wladimir Klitschko in December, but the bout was postponed after the Ukrainian picked up an injury.