Will Anthony Joshua be allowed to fight in America?

[chad]

In 2011 Joshua pleaded guilty to drug dealing and was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 100 hours’ unpaid work. Admission into the States is usually denied if you have convictions for drug possession, especially if they are recent. Joshua is tipped for the top however how big can he become if he is unable to fight in America? It seems unlikely he'll be able to go over to fight for a version of the world title, and it's unlikely that any future American holding the title would be prepared to leave the States to accommodate a title defense against Joshua.

[dookus]

Germany is where it really matters in the Heavyweight division

[chad]

Germany is where it really matters in the Heavyweight division

Until Klitschko retires and vacates the titles.

[TheCobra]

Didn't realise that about Joshua with the way they marketed him at first as the people's champion I thought he was squeeky clean. Seems like a good lad though so hopefully a mistake in his past and that is all.

[The_Don1]

Wlad will retire by the time Josh willbe in a position to challenge for the world title, by that time it's inevitable the titles will graduate to the west, looks like Josh and his trainer will be vacant is they're mandated for a shot over there if Murray is anything to go by

[Wales]

Take Wlad out of the equation and who would be the huge must see in the US fighter? Few years before Josh is there yet, and I'm sure, should he get there, there will be a euro belt holder or money offered elsewhere.

[WelshJack]

Why do you have to fight in America to be big? Remind me how many people went to Froch v Ward compared to Froch v Groves (first fight)

[lillywhite14]

You need to fight in the States if you want to be a megastar. They will want you over there

[armand.pl]

Artur Szpilka was imprisoned and had some fights in States, last time got some border problems, so I think Joshua can be allowed to figtht here.

[rm1]

God the US attitude on this is ridiculous. If Joshua shapes up as he looks to be doing it will be the yanks loss. Lets move this to the general board so that the yanks can take a bashing about their ridiculous laws.

[whiskey]

Just put any fight on in a state where weed is legalized.

Anyway, when was the last time they actually had a box office heavyweight?

As said, it's all about the East now and not the West I'm afraid.

[Finch]

You need to fight in the States if you want to be a megastar. They will want you over there

Wlad doesn't and is a megastar!

[lefty]

You need to fight in the States if you want to be a megastar. They will want you over there

Wlad doesn't and is a megastar!

I dont know if he is a megastar. Obviously he's big in Germany but a lot of people worldwide who follow boxing probably wouldnt know who he was.

[SMALL AXE1]

You need to fight in the States if you want to be a megastar. They will want you over there

Wlad doesn't and is a megastar!

I dont know if he is a megastar. Obviously he's big in Germany but a lot of people worldwide who follow boxing probably wouldnt know who he was.

Everyone who follows Boxing knows who the Klitschko's are.

If they say otherwise, they are telling lies. They may not like them, but they know who they are.

[brian13]

Given that most of the top heavyweights are European, is there any need for him to travel to America to fight. If the champ at the time is American, absolutely go over and fight in the US but otherwise stay in Europe.

[forcefraser]

Stupid law. Do they fear that someone like Joshua would dissapear and start knocking out some weed before his flight home?

Maybe they think he'ø turn his back on the boxing and start bringing the U S of A down from the inside whilst on the run?

God fearing maniacs.

[lefty]

Wlad doesn't and is a megastar!

I dont know if he is a megastar. Obviously he's big in Germany but a lot of people worldwide who follow boxing probably wouldnt know who he was.

Everyone who follows Boxing knows who the Klitschko's are.

If they say otherwise, they are telling lies. They may not like them, but they know who they are.

They meant to say who dont follow it

[Cholo_cws]

Joshua himself will want to fight in the US - I doubt he's always dreamed of fighting in Germany. I'm sure the Klitschkos would have loved to have been popular in the States but mostly their style, maybe their character and possibly the cultural difference has been against them - if they'd been the second coming of Ivan Drago then the latter two probably wouldn't matter anyway. Joshua doesn't have that problem but then again I doubt he'll go down such a storm in Germany like the Germanophile Klitschkos.

[Boxing Prospect]

You need to fight in the States if you want to be a megastar. They will want you over there

Wlad doesn't and is a megastar!

I dont know if he is a megastar. Obviously he's big in Germany but a lot of people worldwide who follow boxing probably wouldnt know who he was.

The whole superstar logic is silly, more people watched Chris John than pretty much any other fighter on the plant yet according to most "he only fought at home and dined out on the win over JMM"

Likewise Zou Shiming is more well known by people than most fighters...

[lillywhite14]

Manny is a current "foreign" megastar. Would not have happened had he not fought in the states.

Wlad isn't a megastar but being heavyweight champ helps his rep. He has also fought in. He states plenty of times

[reggaereggae]

I find that whole 'you have to fight in the states to be big' attitude has always been BS. The US fighters always get home advantage as well so is extremely unfair. It's even less relevant today as boxing is more international and the heavies are dominated by non US fighters

[gobbles]

He wasn't found guilty of drug dealing.

He was charged with possession with intent to supply but the charge was lowered to possession, which he admitted to.

Yes, he will be allowed to get into America. He served no time and he is an Olympic champion

[renegadeboxing]

Mike Tyson was a rapist, still got to fight, Hopkins , done major time, when money speaks, money talks

[Coco]

Mike Tyson was a rapist, still got to fight, Hopkins , done major time, when money speaks, money talks

Neither need a visa to get into America though!

[Finch]

Mike Tyson was a rapist, still got to fight, Hopkins , done major time, when money speaks, money talks

They didn't have to apply for a visa to fight.