Anthony Joshua in talks for first world title fight against Charles Martin
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ByEurosport
Published 10/02/2016 at 10:49 GMT
Undefeated British heavyweight Anthony Joshua could be in line for his first world title fight in April, after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed IBF belt holder Charles Martin is a possible opponent for the Olympian's next bout.
Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte British & Commonwealth Heavyweight Title's - O2 Arena, London
Image credit: Reuters
Joshua, 26, is currently looking for an opponent to fight at the O2 Arena on April 9, with Hearn revealing Martin could be a realistic option for that date - although there are a few candidates to evaluate.
"We were due to announce his opponent [on Tuesday]," Hearn told Sky Sports. "There have been a lot of people calling Anthony Joshua out, claiming they want to fight him and we need to find out which of those are real.
"There have been some big opportunities that have been bandied around, some of which I think people felt we wouldn't be willing to take but after speaking to Anthony and his trainer, he's more than willing to take.
"Now it's a case of flushing out the people that aren't real and focusing on the ones that are and April 9, if we get our way, is going to be a night to remember at The O2.
"He [Martin] is IBF world champion and he's been calling Anthony Joshua out. It shows the size of Anthony Joshua, you've got a world champion there calling Anthony Joshua out."
The 29-year-old American has won 23 of his 24 fights (drawing the other), and beat Vyacheslav Glazkov in January to take the vacant IBF belt.
Hearn added that Martin had initially made some excessive demands for any fight, so negotiations were still ongoing.
"He's made some noise saying: 'We've offered Anthony Joshua the fight.' It doesn't really work like that," Hearn noted. "You phoned us up and told us you want an extortionate amount of money and then you'll fight him so we're working the numbers on that fight.
"It's the 16th fight of Anthony Joshua's career. Is it too early? It's a huge gamble. Two relatively inexperienced guys. I think Charles Martin is 6ft 5in and Anthony's 6ft 6in. They both punch with immense power. It's one of those you might have to watch through your fingers.
"Anthony Joshua wants the challenges. Sometimes it's difficult to win a world heavyweight title. Now you have a guy who appears to be prepared to come to London on April 9 so we have to take it seriously."
Tyson Fury, another potential future opponent of Joshua's, was stripped of the IBF belt after agreeing to a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko rather than face mandatory IBF challenger Glazkov.
Joshua's last fight was a seventh round stoppage against Dillian Whyte in December.
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