Anthony Joshua survived his first test as the unified IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion, but now his promoter is looking for Joshua to tackle numerous challenges in 2018.
After Joshua defeated Carlos Takam in front of nearly 80,000 spectators in Cardiff, Wales, Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn said in a post-fight interview that he hopes Joshua fights three times next year. Some names Hear put are current world champion Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder in a much-anticipated unification fight.
"I would like him to box three times in 2018. He doesn't have to. It's down to Anthony. We may have a mandatory with the WBA which is unclear at the moment. There's [WBO champion] Joseph Parker, there's [WBC champion] Deontay Wilder," Hearn said.
Another goal Hearn has for Joshua is for him to fight outside of the United Kingdom for the first time in his professional career. Joshua has been linked to fighting in the United States for his original October 28 fight against Kubrat Pulev.
"He can hardly leave his house without being mobbed. The pressure on him is huge. I would like him to have an international fight in 2018, but it does seem a shame to leave all this. It's about sitting down and seeing what he wants to do. He's capable of fighting in any territory, we need a clear plan moving forward," Hearn said.
Hearn laid out a plan for Joshua's next three fights several months ago, but injuries and failed drug tests have derailed those plans.
Joshua stopped Takam in 10 rounds in his first fight since beating Klitschko, which broke the British boxing attendance record with approximately 90,000 people pack Wembley Stadium in April. The fight against Takam reportedly had about 78,000 people attend the fight, making it the largest attendance for an boxing fight in a indoor stadium.
