A
nthony Joshua’s heavyweight trail of destruction continued when he blew away International Boxing Federation title challenger Eric Molina inside three rounds and will face Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29.
Klitschko joined Joshua in the ring immediately after the contest and asked the crowd if they wanted to see two former Olympic champions face each other. The showdown will be for the IBF and the vacant World Boxing Association title. "He's a great champ and I respect him. He wants the belts back, so let's get it on. This fight has to happen," said Joshua.
It was just minutes after Joshua, employing a high guard and advancing on the American, had patiently waited for his opportunity, flooring the Texan with a right hand, and, after he was up at the count of eight after being poleaxed in his corner, was finished by a flurry of heavy blows.
Molina was largely negative, but it was a low-risk strategy for the unbeaten London heavyweight who advanced to 18 fights undefeated. The mega-fight with Klitschko, and it will be that, will be Joshua's first time against an elite opponent.
From there, it will be no more Molinas, no more gimmees. The capacity 21,000 crowd had their appetites whetted for Joshua's entrance as they were treated to one of the most entertaining all-British heavyweight scraps for many years between Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte.
The pair left the shenanigans of table-throwing and threats behind from last week's news conference and in an absorbing, punishing 12-round toe-to-toe battle - which drew huge applause from the audience as the final bell sounded - the two men battered a good old dose of respect into each other.
It was such a good fight, we might even see the two men from London's Thameside divide deliver once more.
As the final bell tolled, they were both delivering haymakers. Whyte took it by the finest margin on split decision, 115-113 and 115-114, with Chisora taking the third judge's score 115-114. It was the perfect aperitif for the word champion's arrival.
Joshua's popularity is so clear to witness in this environment, a resounding cat-call greeting Klitschko's first appearance on the giant screens ringside as the pantomime season continued between David Haye and Tony Bellew.
But it really is the 'AJ Show'. And it is going to grow and grow from here for Anthony Joshua.
Both fighters look forward to April
Anthony Joshua
"We move on to a bigger arena, more people canview it. This is the step up people have wanted. Klitschko wants his belts back, may the best man win.""I focus on myself, that's how I beat Wladimir Klitschko."
Wladimir Klitschko
"He is the best man in the division and I believe this excitement speaks for itself. This is what the fans want and this fight must happen."I've been doing this 26 years and have a lot of knowledge which will help me in the ring."
No comments:
Post a Comment