Anthony Joshua shows off his world heavyweight title belts the morning after defeating Wladimir Klitschko in a classic match at Wembley CREDIT: LAWRENCE LUSTIG
October 30, 2017
Leadearship.Ng
..AJ aim now is to “hold onto all the belts out there for 10 years like Klitschko did” and create a legacy.
Anthony Joshua says “the possibilities of 2018 are great” after cementing a record-breaking year with a dogged win over Carlos Takam.
The British WBA and IBF heavyweight champion built on his April win over Wladimir Klitschko by stopping Takam in 10 rounds at a captivated Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
His promoter Eddie Hearn says a meeting with WBC champion Deontay Wilder “has to happen”, while coach Rob McCracken hopes a bout against WBO king Joseph Parker presents itself first.
“The possibilities are bubbling nicely in the distance,” said Joshua, 28.
“I’m not worried about 2018 because of the potential possibilities to come.
“I want the other two belts out there, whether it’s Wilder first or Parker.”
Both bouts – but Wilder in particular – would serve to elevate Joshua’s seemingly unstoppable rise through global sport further.
A smooth-talking Briton versus a flamboyant American, both raw in the ring, both powerful. What is not to like? The sooner it happens the better.
“This was just the type of fight, experience and adversity that Anthony Joshua needed,” said Britain’s former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
“He wasn’t at his best, but you won’t always be – and it’s those times you have to find a way.”