Big Ben chimes ‘step up’ warning
to the others. Of course the Takam win was great but this award is based around the biggest night in British boxing history and one of the greatest performances in boxing history.
“If you look at the standout performances in sport in 2017, AJ’s win over Klitschko is it.”
Hearn explained why AJ has achieved such popularity quicker than supermiddleweight Joe Calzaghe, the last boxer to win SPOTY in the final year of his career.
“Number one, he’s a heavyweight,” said Hearn. “Number two, he was Olympic gold medallist in
London.
“Number three, he’s extremely likeable.
“Number four, he looks a million dollars.
“Number five, every fight he has is exciting. Number six, his story is incredible and the inner-city kids can relate to him.
“I don’t know someone who appeals to so many demographically. Grans love him.
“When I go to pick up my kids from school, kids say, ‘You’re Anthony Joshua’s promoter, I want to be like him’.
“Young men love him. Men my age think he’s the coolest bloke in the world. Women just adore him, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“I don’t think you can find someone who has a bad word to say about him – apart from Tyson Fury
– and that’s unique.”
Hearn is working to secure AJ’s next fight against WBO world champion Joseph Parker at one of three UK venues – Twickenham, the Principality Stadium or Old Trafford – on March 31 or April 7.
Cardiff is favourite to host the unification title fight. Hearn hopes AJ will also face American Deontay Wilder, the WBC king, later next year. But as well as unifying the titles against New Zealander Parker and Wilder, Joshua aims to face former WBA-IBF-WBO champion Fury in 2018 or beyond.
Manchester megamouth Fury is hoping to get his boxing licence back next month after a doping ban was this KNOCKOUT: Joshua’s fight with Klitschko was watched by 90,000 fans week backdated and is planning a comeback next year. Hearn added: “I think there’s a chance for a fight against Tyson Fury for the end of the year. AJ wants to be in the biggest fights and that’s the biggest fight in British boxing.
“It would be huge. In an ideal world, AJ would fight three times against Parker, Wilder and Fury.
“That’s a dreamland scene but we must fight two of those so if Fury has to wait, then it will be spring 2019 – and Anthony is fine with that.” KEY: Roethlisberger PITTSBURGH STEELERS quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he and his team-mates have to “step up” tonight against New England.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is well known throughout the NFL world for coming up with plans to stop his opponents’ best player and make teams rely on their lesser talents to win.
It is a scheme that has helped him to become one of – if not the – greatest head coaches of all time.
But Roethlisberger, whose Steelers currently lead the Patriots in the race for the No.1 seed in the AFC, has seen it all before.
He has faced the Pats 10 times so far in his career, winning just three of those encounters.
And if he is to add to that tally tonight, Roethlisberger knows exactly what he needs from his team-mates.
He said: “It’s a nice problem to have when you have a lot of guys that can make plays.
“When they’re going to take one or two guys away, other guys need to step up. That’s going to be the key to the game.
“We have a good group of guys here now that can do different things. We have guys that can stretch the field. We have guys that can be physical and get open.
“Does that mean we’re going to win? Not necessarily, but I like the direction we’re headed. We need to beat what we see.”
Running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown have been stars for the Steelers this season, with both top of the stats table for rushing and receiving yards respectively.
But Big Ben knows it takes more than just the players on the field to win.
He added: “New England are one of the better teams of my generation, with one of the best coaches and best players.
“Not only do their players beat you but their coaches out-coach you.”
The winner of tonight’s clash will most likely end the regular season as No.1 seed in the AFC and secure home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
Elsewhere tonight, the LA Rams travel to Seattle in what could be a crucial game in deciding who makes the play-offs, while Aaron Rodgers returns for Green Bay for their trip to Carolina after breaking his collarbone on October 15.