Joshua’s promoter looks at international scene
2018 fights with Wilder, Parker
Cardiff – Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn wants to take the world heavyweight champion overseas after his 10th round win over Carlos Takam on Saturday.
Joshua retained his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association heavyweight titles after stopping Takam at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
All of Joshua’s 20 professional fights have ended inside the distance and have all been in Britain.
“I would like him to box three times in 2018,” Hearn said. “He doesn’t have to, it’s down to Anthony. We may have a mandatory (defence) with the WBA, which is unclear at the moment.
“There’s (WBO champion) Joseph Parker, there’s (WBC champion) Deontay Wilder. I would like him to have an international fight in 2018, but it does seem a shame to leave all this.”
American Wilder defends his World Boxing Council belt against Haiti’s Bermane Stiverne on November 4.
Joshua, 28, said he does not mind who he fights so long as he is retains the WBA and IBF belts.
“I’m just focusing on keeping my belts, whoever that is on the WBA list, that’s who it is,” Joshua said.
Takam, 36, complained about the stoppage, but will take a lot of credit after fighting on with impaired vision after being cut near his right eye in the fourth round where he also took a count.
“I’m happy with that the win is secured and we move on,” said Joshua, who paid tribute to his opponent for battling on despite the injury. –