Anthony Joshua's opponents in 2016

[IRLangmaid25]

Should Anthony Joshua defeat amateur rival Diliyan Whyte for the British and Commonwealth straps. Who should he fight after that.

For me...
Erkan Teper for the European title
Then Hughie Fury and Dereck Chisora in either with all three belts on the line.
Alexander Ustinov or Kubrat Pulev defending the European title.
And maybe Tyson Fury should he want revenge for seeing Hughie get sparked.

What do you think gentlemen?

[MarkMcBurney]

I think there's more chance of Calzaghe v Froch than AJ v Chisora whilst Del Boy's with Warren.

Think you have the 'progression' about right though, although Hughie Fury hasn't done much to suggest he'd been an improvement on Whyte for me.

[Tarkus]

Chisora is shot, no point fighting him, will be another one round blow out. For Hughie AJ is too early, not for another 2-3 years. Tyson yes but only if he looses to Klit. Couple of big Europeans next year is a good idea. And aim at WBC strap.

Although its hard to look past Whyte fight, as the outcome is very uncertain.

[danamba7]

Teper is the obvious step after Whyte for the European then a decent defense (if there is one out there) then maybe Thompson if he's still about.

[IRLangmaid25]

Chisora is shot, no point fighting him, will be another one round blow out. For Hughie AJ is too early, not for another 2-3 years. Tyson yes but only if he looses to Klit. Couple of big Europeans next year is a good idea. And aim at WBC strap.

Although its hard to look past Whyte fight, as the outcome is very uncertain.

Hughie Fury is down to fight John McDermott for the English title according to the latest circular from the Board of Control. And he will be looking to step up next year which is why I suggested him. As for Tony Thompson,that's too early plus he might be gunning for Deontay Wilder, should Wilder get past Alex Povetkin who in turn needs to beat Mariusz Wach.

Wach wpuld also be a good test for Big Josh.

[davie]

Erkan Teper for the European title - ideal progression fight
Then Hughie Fury and Dereck Chisora in either with all three belts on the line. - niether of these. Fury is one I thought I'd want to see by now, but he has fallen behind and it wouldn't be fair to feed him to AJ just now, let him progress at his own rate. Dereck is not a step up from Teper for me and wont be made
Alexander Ustinov or Kubrat Pulev defending the European title. - ustinov a good test and let us see how he deals with a really big guy. I wouldn't place Pulev alongside him however. A top 5 heavy I would probably leave until 2017
And maybe Tyson Fury should he want revenge for seeing Hughie get sparked. - like pulev, someone I want to see him in with, at the end of 2016? Fair enough, if he makes good progress through Teper and Ustinov, I wouldn't mind seeing him fight Fury or Pulev, no guarantee he beats either.
I don't see him being in much more than 3 fights a year from here in anyway

What do you think gentlemen?

[CharlesListon]

Teper, Luis Ortiz, Wilder/ Tyson Fury. Potentially Fury first, then Wilder if he hasn't been beaten by that point.

Teper would be ideal around April, Ortiz around September then a go at Fury/Wilder Feb 2017.

No point dicking about with Chisora or Hughie Fury. He has been brought along nice and slow. Start stepping it up next year with a European shot, put him in with a genuine overseas contender (Ortiz) and then its world title time.
Pointless hanging around.

[Horse]

Chisora is shot, no point fighting him, will be another one round blow out. For Hughie AJ is too early, not for another 2-3 years. Tyson yes but only if he looses to Klit. Couple of big Europeans next year is a good idea. And aim at WBC strap.

Although its hard to look past Whyte fight, as the outcome is very uncertain.

No point in picking up a win over a top 15 world ranked heavyweight? Nonsense.

Chisora would be Joshua's biggest win by far.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Chisora is shot, no point fighting him, will be another one round blow out. For Hughie AJ is too early, not for another 2-3 years. Tyson yes but only if he looses to Klit. Couple of big Europeans next year is a good idea. And aim at WBC strap.

Although its hard to look past Whyte fight, as the outcome is very uncertain.

No point in picking up a win over a top 15 world ranked heavyweight? Nonsense.

Chisora would be Joshua's biggest win by far.

Yes, but as said, Chisora appears totally shot, and devoid of ambition. He's had two nothing fights since his non performance against Fury the last against a guy who was 18-10.

It may make sense on paper, however, it's not appealing to me personally. I'd rather someone less experienced, who actually seems to have ambition.

Hughie might be a good scalp, but if I was Hughies management, it's not a fight that I would advise him to take at this stage.

[Boxerbeetle]

What would knocking out a shot Chisora in a round prove? That Joshua can punch? That's the one thing we already know for sure.

[littlepug]

teper, wach, pulev, browne, perez and ruiz in any order.

[Horse]

What would knocking out a shot Chisora in a round prove? That Joshua can punch? That's the one thing we already know for sure.

And what if he doesn't frigging knock him out in a round?

Joshua's best win is Johnson who Chisora dominated. Chisora is two or more levels above anyone that Joshua has beaten, so he is in no way a waste of Joshua's time.

People need to show some respect to Chisora and get off Joshua's todger.

[Boxerbeetle]

What would knocking out a shot Chisora in a round prove? That Joshua can punch? That's the one thing we already know for sure.

And what if he doesn't frigging knock him out in a round?

Joshua's best win is Johnson who Chisora dominated. Chisora is two or more levels above anyone that Joshua has beaten, so he is in no way a waste of Joshua's time.

People need to show some respect to Chisora and get off Joshua's todger.

Joshua would definitely knock Chisora out within 2 rounds, most likely 1 round. Chisora is completely shot, beating him at this stage would mean absolutely nothing.

[Horse]

Joshua would definitely knock Chisora out within 2 rounds, most likely 1 round. Chisora is completely shot, beating him at this stage would mean absolutely nothing.

Which of Joshua's current wins means more?

[Boxerbeetle]

Joshua would definitely knock Chisora out within 2 rounds, most likely 1 round. Chisora is completely shot, beating him at this stage would mean absolutely nothing.

Which of Joshua's current wins means more?

At this stage, none - but I'd put beating Whyte at about the same level of importance as beating the current version of Chisora. And, assuming Joshua does beat Whyte, he should be progressed forwards rather than remaining on the same level.

[Horse]

At this stage, none - but I'd put beating Whyte at about the same level of importance as beating the current version of Chisora. And, assuming Joshua does beat Whyte, he should be progressed forwards rather than remaining on the same level.

Chisora is a proven fighter, Whyte isn't. Whyte is just a prospect. His proven level is way below Chisora's.

There are not many heavyweights who are better than Chisora and I very much doubt that Hearn will be putting Joshua in with them fight after fight.

Joshua has just been put in with Gary Cornish, and people are talking like they expect Joshua to never lower himself to fighting the likes of Chisora ever again after fighting Whyte. Absurd.

[Boxerbeetle]

At this stage, none - but I'd put beating Whyte at about the same level of importance as beating the current version of Chisora. And, assuming Joshua does beat Whyte, he should be progressed forwards rather than remaining on the same level.

Chisora is a proven fighter, Whyte isn't. Whyte is just a prospect. His proven level is way below Chisora's.

There are not many heavyweights who are better than Chisora and I very much doubt that Hearn will be putting Joshua in with them fight after fight.

Joshua has just been put in with Gary Cornish, and people are talking like they expect Joshua to never lower himself to fighting the likes of Chisora ever again after fighting Whyte. Absurd.

You seem to be confusing the Chisora of 3 years ago with the Chisora of today. I suggest you familiarise yourself with his recent work, because it has been shockingly poor.

I would expect Joshua to destroy Chisora, and I would expect Whyte to beat Chisora as well. Imo, Chisora is completely shot. Beating him now doesn't prove anything.

[Horse]

You seem to be confusing the Chisora of 3 years ago with the Chisora of today. I suggest you familiarise yourself with his recent work, because it has been shockingly poor.

I would expect Joshua to destroy Chisora, and I would expect Whyte to beat Chisora as well. Imo, Chisora is completely shot. Beating him now doesn't prove anything.

Chisora defeated Kevin Johnson (Joshua's best win) very easily 1 year and 8 months ago (well within the last three years). He's also beaten Pala (1 year & 11 months ago), Gerber (2 years & 1 month ago) & Scott (2 years & 3 months ago) within a three year period.

Why am I meant to consider Chisora to be a worthless opponent for Joshua now? Because he didn't look great against a journeyman who he wasn't motivated against (like has happened quite a few times throughout his career)? Because Tyson Fury (No. 3 ranked heavyweight in the world) beat him easily?

Beating Chisora now does prove a lot as it would be by far Joshua's biggest win. How is that not proving anything?

Who do you think Joshua is? His record is weak and he has fought no one even close to Chisora's level yet. It would be a very good win for Joshua.

Even if Chisora is shot, he would still be Joshua's best win. Have people learned nothing from the Price hype?

[Tarkus]

Destroying shot Chisora will be exactly as meaningless as destroying shot Johnson. I would probably pick Johnson as a better opponent at this stage because of his style. It will tell us nothing, give nothing to AJ resume. I admit though it might add some hype in the eyes of simple boxing fans who get hung on names rather then actual quality.

Hughie Fury is down to fight John McDermott for the English title according to the latest circular from the Board of Control. And he will be looking to step up next year which is why I suggested him.

I agree, Hughie is fast behind AJs heels. In fact I think he might be moving too fast for his own good. There is a huge gap between likes of McDermott and Rudenko and likes of Joshua and Parker. So even if their ratings are comparable I would still keep Hughie away from those big punchers untill he fully develops his man strength.

[Horse]

Destroying shot Chisora will be exactly as meaningless as destroying shot Johnson. I would probably pick Johnson as a better opponent at this stage because of his style. It will tell us nothing, give nothing to AJ resume. I admit though it might add some hype in the eyes of simple boxing fans who get hung on names rather then actual quality.

My God, why do I bother posting on this forum?

I'm wasting my life.

[GooalaShooola]

Dereck Chisora (version 2015) beats every opponent Joshua has faced so far. I wouldn't be surprised if he beats Dillian Whyte as well. So to say it's meaningless is ridiculous.

Although, this whole discussion is totally pointless as we all know it will never happen for obvious reasons.

[Horse]

Dereck Chisora (version 2015) beats every opponent Joshua has faced so far. I wouldn't be surprised if he beats Dillian Whyte as well. So to say it's meaningless is ridiculous.

Sanity!

I'm not alone!

[Leonid]

ustinov a good test and let us see how he deals with a really big guy. I wouldn't place Pulev alongside him however. A top 5 heavy I would probably leave until 2017

I disagree. Pulev would be the further ideal progression after Teper - still considered a top 5, but much safer than the others in there. He recently had a comeback fight vs Arias (just outside of boxrec top 100), in which he didn't look good at all, seemed scared of being punched, used excessive clinching, had a lot of close round, plus he never had a big punch. He's Joshua's client ripe for the taking.
On the other hand Ustinov wouldn't be a usefull experience, he's too slow and isn't willing to take punishment (look how he capitulated after Pulev's jab).

From then on, Joshua should get in an eliminator, and not necessarily WBC, as someone mentioned. If Povetkin is WBC champion in 2017, it might be better to target the other belts (why take a risk of a potential tough 12 rounder vs a guy that has never been stopped for not that great money). If Wlad is still champion, he would be over the hill and on the slide + bigger money.

[cold187]

well tepers fighting helenuis in december for EURO title, so if helenius wins hearn should go for him then if he has the balls

[sendo]

Honestly I'd agree Chisora would be a pointless one, mainly due to the style. Del Boy can't get through that range and jab, and we know at this point in his career his head will go down and it will be over. The records and the names isn't the be all and end all.