The person I think Joshua should face after Johnson is....

[crusader]

Johann Duhaupas: http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer

He's listed at 6'5" and looks around that, just beat Manuel Charr (widely on two cards), doesn't seem to have durability issues, and has traveled multiple times to fight as the B-side. I don't think it would be too difficult to secure him as an opponent and I believe that he'd be a good test for Joshua, who has generally fought much smaller opponents with a history of being stopped early.

Who do you think Joshua should face after the Johnson fight, assuming he beats KJ?

[smoothmoves]

I think that's a decent shout. If AJ dispatches Kingpin early, then get him out late June/early July with this guy (or similar). Coming off a decent win, good power and a similar size to AJ.

I'd be happy with it fwiw.

[ILikeBeer]

Reckon Hearn will put him in with somebody that risky yet?

[Gnome]

Wach or Pianeta - time to step up, Anthony!

[Stuarty]

Not sure about who's next after Johnson. Just depends on how fit he is etc.. I'd like to see him in with Whyte or Price (or both) by the end of the year. In failing that I'd take Chisora.

[Stuarty]

To be fair he is only a baby in heavyweight terms. We all want to see him stepped up but there are good fights domestically to be made first. I'm sure AJ himself wants that British title. If he's taken on and beaten 2,3 or 4 good domestic guys by this time next year I'd be pretty satisfied then they can move him on.

[danamba7]

To be fair he is only a baby in heavyweight terms. We all want to see him stepped up but there are good fights domestically to be made first. I'm sure AJ himself wants that British title. If he's taken on and beaten 2,3 or 4 good domestic guys by this time next year I'd be pretty satisfied then they can move him on.

It seems that AJ would love to do the old British, Euro, World route but Hearn will probably try and take him down the Intercontinental/Silver/Eliminator/Final Eliminator routes.

[Stuarty]

To be fair he is only a baby in heavyweight terms. We all want to see him stepped up but there are good fights domestically to be made first. I'm sure AJ himself wants that British title. If he's taken on and beaten 2,3 or 4 good domestic guys by this time next year I'd be pretty satisfied then they can move him on.

It seems that AJ would love to do the old British, Euro, World route but Hearn will probably try and take him down the Intercontinental/Silver/Eliminator/Final Eliminator routes.

Wouldn't be surprised but I hope not. There are some good domestic fights there for him. Realistically he could be British and even Euro champ at this time next year then fight for a few international titles. He has time on his side.

[JC]

Hopefully the ref doesn't jump in for an early stoppage vs Johnson if it gets too boring. I'm glad it's not top of the bill this time.

If he gets a few rounds in against Johnson I like to OP's suggestion for the next opponent.

Speaking as a fan, building up the domestic rivalry with Whyte for the British title seems like to obvious next step. Not sure that's what Hearn has in mind though.

[the_doctor]

Johann Duhaupas: http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer

He's listed at 6'5" and looks around that, just beat Manuel Charr (widely on two cards), doesn't seem to have durability issues, and has traveled multiple times to fight as the B-side. I don't think it would be too difficult to secure him as an opponent and I believe that he'd be a good test for Joshua, who has generally fought much smaller opponents with a history of being stopped early.

Who do you think Joshua should face after the Johnson fight, assuming he beats KJ?

It's a good match, but I'm not sure he's enough of a name.

If he beats Johnson and performs well (either an impressive UD or a KO) then I would try and get Tony Thompson over. If he struggles against KJ then you could put him in with someone more straightforward like Hammer or Leapai

[Horse]

It's a good match, but I'm not sure he's enough of a name.

If he beats Johnson and performs well (either an impressive UD or a KO) then I would try and get Tony Thompson over. If he struggles against KJ then you could put him in with someone more straightforward like Hammer or Leapai

Why does Joshua have to fight names?

Thompson is ranked in the world top 10. That seems to be too big of a step up.

Duhaupas or Charr would both be very good next opponents for Joshua. Hammer and Leapai would be good as well.

[the_doctor]

It's a good match, but I'm not sure he's enough of a name.

If he beats Johnson and performs well (either an impressive UD or a KO) then I would try and get Tony Thompson over. If he struggles against KJ then you could put him in with someone more straightforward like Hammer or Leapai

Why does Joshua have to fight names?

Thompson is ranked in the world top 10. That seems to be too big of a step up.

Duhaupas or Charr would both be very good next opponents for Joshua. Hammer and Leapai would be good as well.

Hearn will want him to fight well-known fighters to try and build his profile among the casual fans I assume.

Thompson is the ultimate gatekeeper in my eyes. He has the durability but if Joshua dispatches Johnson then why not test him against Thompson? He's a good puncher but at 43 years old, you have to imagine that Joshua has the speed to stay out of trouble and, if he stops KJ, the power to stop him. Would be a big statement and set up the Price fight nicely (especially if Price beats Chisora)

[danamba7]

I agree with what Wazza said on IFL recently. AJ should be going for the Lonsdale belt pronto, if he's as good as we think he is, he should operate comfortably at that level even at this stage of his career.

[Horse]

Hearn will want him to fight well-known fighters to try and build his profile among the casual fans I assume.

Most casuals will hardly know anyone, so that will limit Joshua's possible opponents far too much.

Thompson is the ultimate gatekeeper in my eyes. He has the durability but if Joshua dispatches Johnson then why not test him against Thompson? He's a good puncher but at 43 years old, you have to imagine that Joshua has the speed to stay out of trouble and, if he stops KJ, the power to stop him. Would be a big statement and set up the Price fight nicely (especially if Price beats Chisora)

Solis makes more sense than Thompson. Gold medallist vs gold medallist.

If Joshua beats Thompson then he's a top 10 ranked fighter. I really don't see the need to rush Joshua.

They should be looking at putting him in with a bunch of top 30ish level opponents before going after top 10 guys like Thompson.

[rio]

Dillion whyte, David price then Eddie chambers.

[Horse]

I scored the Charr vs Duhaupas fight for Charr by three.

Duhaupas was very negative in the second half of the fight, so maybe he isn't the best opponent for Joshua to be fighting straight after Johnson.

It depends on how the Johnson fight goes though.

[Happy Slapper]

If he beats Johnson I'd like to see Chisora lined up.

[reggaereggae]

I'd like to see Joshua fight Eddie Hearn. It's a good match up in terms of size (Eddie is 6ft 5) and I'm fairly sure Eddie is as decent as any of AJ's recent matches.

Come on! Let's see this fight!

I for one would definitely pay £20 for the PPV, and the comedic value of seeing SKY sell Eddie as AJ's most dangerous opponent would be too good to miss

[Yes We Can]

Lewison, Sexton, H Fury, Cornish or Whyte.

OP's suggestion is perfectly acceptable, i would also accept Lepai, Rudenko, Gerber, Pala.

I'll take anyone that comes to win with a semi okay record essentially.

[reggaereggae]

I'll take anyone that comes to win with a semi okay record essentially.

Eddie Hearn is unbeaten

[Yes We Can]

I'll take anyone that comes to win with a semi okay record essentially.

Eddie Hearn is unbeaten :lol:

My £20.00 is waiting.

[Rexob]

Christian Hammer or Malik Scott in an anything you can do I can do better type of scenario?

[samwbr]

Artur Szpilka or Tomasz Adamek. The Polish lads over here would be right up for it, could be a big night for Hearn to push Joshua. But I doubt he will let them near him for about 2 years.

[HomicideHenry]

Only one man I'd like to see Joshua face off with, though it'll more than likely never happen. The man I have in mind is charting his own course and will be the Commonwealth champion soon enough, am sure. And that is New Zealand's Joseph Parker. He's virtually the same style, as Joshua is. Remarkable talent for being just 23 years old, and 4 years as a pro. In his 6th pro fight he stopped Frans Botha. He's also stopped tough, durable Brian Minto. On top of that he's decisioned Sherman Williams. Not too bad, at all, considering his age and region of the world he's in--- and I'm far more impressed with him than I am Lucas Browne, who at 36 years old hasn't really demonstrated to me he can go beyond the Commonwealth level and despite being its champion, the question must be asked "How long will it last?"

[Bodyshot3]

Lewison, Sexton, H Fury, Cornish or Whyte.

@Yes We Can....all good calls and some of them are nice fights. Clear things up domestically first and then Europe.

But I think that Fast Eddie will veto the Whyte and Fury matches for a while to come ...."huge fight down the line, but we will need to build and market them" blah-blah-blah....check that new suit is looking immaculate, smile for camera.

Sexton and Cornish both seem like guys who need to do something soon or perhaps do something else; sounds a bit harsh but not a million miles away from the truth? Cornish gets mentioned alot in these situations and I think it is time he had a big fight. Not sure what Sam Sexton is doing but I think if he wants it, and gets enough notice, he could give AJ some decent rounds and pose a problem or two if he avoids getting flattened early.

Personally, I'd like to see Whyte up for AJ next. But as a cynical fan; I know that what I want and what we get are two totally different things!