Anthony Joshua fans best enjoy his upcoming clash in Wales because it might be some time before we see him fighting on these shores again.
As a professional, Joshua has never competed outside the United Kingdom but the crucial American market is beckoning and promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that the most marketable fighter on his Matchroom roster will have to start fighting elsewhere soon.
‘AJ’ will meet mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium at the end of this month, when bookmakers expect him to extend his undefeated record against his Bulgarian opponent.
Hearn has revealed his hopes for what might be next for Joshua and it involves leaving the UK, before an inevitable clash with outspoken American rival, Deontay Wilder.
“I think Anthony’s next fight after Pulev will be abroad. Maybe Las Vegas, maybe the Middle East,” Hearn told the Mirror. “Then his next fight after that will be a unification — and I want the Wilder fight.
“It’s all there for Anthony, and he just has to keep winning. But first, let’s deal with the Pulev fight.”
Ahead of his upcoming WBC title defence, Wilder continues to goad Joshua about his apparent unpopularity in the USA and has suggested that the 27-year-old will have to eventually cross the pond if he wants to solidify his status as a bona fide superstar of the fight game.
“To be global, you’ve got to make your name in America and Joshua is not as big as people think he is over here,” Wilder told Sky Sports.
“The UK is about the size of Texas. One state in my country, where people don’t know who Joshua is for real.
Deontay Wilder has claimed that 'AJ' must go Stateside https://t.co/t5GzL7v0Jw
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 9, 2017
“If my name was brought up and Joshua came along it’s the same as if Joshua’s name came up, my name would come along.
“It will be a great fight, but he is not that popular over here. I had to burst a lot of people’s bubble but he’s not.
“If he wants to be global, he needs to come to America to fight me, but to be honest, I don’t care where it happens.”
