Eddie Hearn on cloud nine after Anthony Joshua’s win, but mandatory’s loom!
WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21KO) is back on top of the world of boxing once again after cruising to a blowout victory over Andy Ruiz Jr (33-2, 22KO) in their highly anticipated rematch.
This means once again the boxing community will begin the ongoing debate over a bout featuring WBC champion Deontay Wilder (42-0-1, 41KO) to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Also, on the back-end of that conversation will be a possible all British showdown with former unified champion Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20KO).
However, the WBC champion is locked into another huge rematch against former unified champion Fury set for February 22, 2020.
In addition, there are the two mandatory challengers that Joshua may have to handle first from the IBF and the WBO. Both organizations have made it clear their respective mandatory will be ordered after December 7.
The IBF plans on ordering former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14KO). Meanwhile, the WBO may order former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Uysk (17-0, 13KO) next. What this could mean is Joshua may have to choose which mandatory he wants to adhere to. The one he doesn’t choose may strip him of the title to allow their mandatory to fight for the vacant belt.
This of course would spoil any plans of crowning another undisputed champion anytime soon if Joshua cannot get one of the two sanctioning bodies to grant him an exception. Also, there is still the possibility of a trilogy with Andy Ruiz!
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn was in “heavenly bliss” after the fight as he saw himself and his biggest money maker back on top of the division! When asked about plans for the upcoming mandatory challengers, he first gloried his fighter’s performance and took jabs at both Wilder and Fury.
“It was an absolute master class! I didn’t know if he could stay disciplined like that for 12 rounds. It was schooling.”
“We celebrate first and we plan secondly.
“These belts are important to him. He’s wanted to be undisputed champion since he beat Parker.”
Hearn wouldn’t stop there, adding fuel to fire by using the signature quote of the WBC champion.
“People say one face one name…we don’t listen to that! It was all rubbish, he’s [Joshua] the one that steps up!
“Check the resume! Cold facts!
“Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, the resumes don’t even compete!
“But we will do what we always do and just stay focused, construct a plan and take care of business.”
The flamboyant British Promoter ended the in-ring interview saying
“Sweet as a nut.”
Given the situation of Pulev and Usyk hoping to get their shot and Wilder’s rematch with Fury, there will be a lot to cover over the next few months! Stay tuned with 3kingsboxing.com to stay abreast on this exciting story!
By: Garrisson Bland
