Anthony Joshua vs. Charles Martin (c) - April 9th 2016

[Taansend]

Hughie fury would be a fight that could sell well. There's loads of potential marketing angles and tag lines for it.

I respectfully disagree. Partially. It would sell well but not as good as it could in a year or two. I really feel that Hughie is flying under the radar. He's beaten equal opponents to Anthony but with one tenth of the fanfare (a credit to Eddie?).

I have to admit though, I may be a bit blinded by Hughie. I saw his debut & was awestruck by his poise in the ring. He has incredible balance & ring awareness.

[reggaereggae]

Hughie fury would be a fight that could sell well. There's loads of potential marketing angles and tag lines for it.

I respectfully disagree. Partially. It would sell well but not as good as it could in a year or two. I really feel that Hughie is flying under the radar. He's beaten equal opponents to Anthony but with one tenth of the fanfare (a credit to Eddie?).

I have to admit though, I may be a bit blinded by Hughie. I saw his debut & was awestruck by his poise in the ring. He has incredible balance & ring awareness.

Well Hughie hasn't got an olympic gold medal in his own country and the accompanying fanfare. I don't think it would be a hard fight to sell, Hughie is the cousin of an outspoken Heavyweight champion ofthe worried who would get very involved in the build up. It would be great.

[surfthehurf]

Assuming Sky/Hearn are lining up the Haye fight for the summer, it would make sense to put him in with someone like Steve Cunningham - small, quick, difficult to tag cleanly but not a huge amount of power.

They could use it as a learning fight against an opponent with similar attributes to Haye, but without the power (therefore less risky)

Added advantage is that Cunningham has a good ranking with the IBF which seems to be the easiest route to a world title at this stage.

I've often thought that Cunningham is suited, and there's the stat that he's a former (cruiserweight) world champ.

But I think WBC in a few fights time would be AJ's title shot. He's been ranked #2 since the Kingpin fight so they clearly like him

[craig_minter]

Pretty sure the EBU said the European title fight definitely wouldn't happen as they won't allow a voluntary defence before the mandatory of Teper.

[Stuarty]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

[SMALL AXE1]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

And If Helenius lands its over for AJ. People talk as if its a given AJ wins. He's too stiff and not ready.

[Stuarty]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

And If Helenius lands its over for AJ. People talk as if its a given AJ wins. He's too stiff and not ready.

As I said 'big guy and can whack a bit' but I think AJ would demolish Helenius IMO. If AJ is stiff then what does that make Helenius?

[wesshaw1985]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

And If Helenius lands its over for AJ. People talk as if its a given AJ wins. He's too stiff and not ready.

I want to see AJ challenged now, hes past the knock-over fights stage.
The fighters listed are tough but beatable for AJ...

[the_doctor]

Helenius' power hasn't been the same since he broke his hand (I think it was vs Chisora?)

[reggaereggae]

Helenius' power hasn't been the same since he broke his hand (I think it was vs Chisora?)

Yeah maybe. The guy has gone through a lot including his throat injury. But anyone who suggests Joshua would walk through him are not to be taken seriously.

Anything can happen in heavyweight boxing, but looking at experinece and skills, I would suggest Helenius is better than Whyte, who troubled Joshua, has a good chin and underrated boxing skills and decent power. He has also done 12 rounds and has stamina and intelligence.

I would lean towards Joshua if they fought next year, but only tentatively. If the odds were good I would put money on Helenius.

I could envisage a scenario where Robert stops an exhausted Joshua late.

[UKBoxing]

Surely a fight with Chisora would be a step backwards. He needs another test, get a top ten ranked fighter and show the boxing world just how good you are.

[the_doctor]

Helenius' power hasn't been the same since he broke his hand (I think it was vs Chisora?)

Yeah maybe. The guy has gone through a lot including his throat injury. But anyone who suggests Joshua would walk through him are not to be taken seriously.

Anything can happen in heavyweight boxing, but looking at experinece and skills, I would suggest Helenius is better than Whyte, who troubled Joshua, has a good chin and underrated boxing skills and decent power. He has also done 12 rounds and has stamina and intelligence.

I would lean towards Joshua if they fought next year, but only tentatively. If the odds were good I would put money on Helenius.

I could envisage a scenario where Robert stops an exhausted Joshua late.

Agree on all points - Joshua has to learn how to deal with skilled boxers, that was the thinking with my earlier suggestion of Cunningham. He must show that he can work openings for himself rather than just battering his way in.

[tiny_acres]

I have been hearing from others on a few different forums that Joshua will be coming to America
at the beginning of 2016.
If this is true then I will have to go with Scott

[SMALL AXE1]

Cunningham stop AJ. Bring it on!

[Rob3_142]

It seems to me that Hearn has made it quite clear they'll go for a European fight before a British defence, and that can surely only mean Helenius?

I watched Helenius beat a very average Franz Rill on points. I can't genuinely see Helenius beating AJ, I feel Joshua moves well enough to stay out of trouble. Although solid and decent range, Helenius is quite slow and sluggish. Helenius needed points to beat Chisora and Sprott, which just doesn't say trouble to me.

But if Hearn thinks AJ will be world champion by end of 2016, he'll need to really up the level of his opposition in the summer. I honestly think Joshua vs. Ortiz would be a great fight.

By the way, what was the reason that the BDB disqualified Teper from holding the European title?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

I'd be avoiding anyone like Helenius for a few fights, maybe get AJ in with someone who can move and box a bit and extend him. Fury would be a good candidate, but If I were Hughies team I'd avoid a murderous puncher with a killer instinct for a little while.

[wesshaw1985]

Eddie Chambers carries a name but no knock out power?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Eddie Chambers carries a name but no knock out power?

Not a bad call, only 33 chambers, thought he was much older.

Maybe lacks ambition, but he went 12 with Wladimir a few years back. Trying to think of someone else slippery and experienced like that....maybe an old brass.

[lillywhite14]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

And If Helenius lands its over for AJ. People talk as if its a given AJ wins. He's too stiff and not ready.

As I said 'big guy and can whack a bit' but I think AJ would demolish Helenius IMO. If AJ is stiff then what does that make Helenius?

I was going to say the same thing! Helenius was stiff before the injuries, and they certainly haven't loosened him up! Helenius strikes me as a tough cookie thoigh so maybe AJ, or anyone for that matter, 'demolishes' him as such.


It's a difficult one matching him. I want to see him matched with a proper trainer and team first and foremost. I think he has learnt the bare minimum since turning over. The neglect of his jab is criminal, absolutely no head movement whatsoever etc

[Stuarty]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

I'd be avoiding anyone like Helenius for a few fights, maybe get AJ in with someone who can move and box a bit and extend him. Fury would be a good candidate, but If I were Hughies team I'd avoid a murderous puncher with a killer instinct for a little while.

Fury fight would be good to see yeah. Why would you avoid Helenius? Do you see him as that much of a threat? I reckon AJ would deal with him pretty handily tbh. A rematch with Whyte later in the year wouldn't be the worst idea. Enjoyed the first fight. Or do you let them go their separate ways and build any potential rematch?

[wesshaw1985]

Some good options there. Helenius would be a decent opponent. Undefeated European champ. Big guy and can whack a bit. Good scalp at this stage for AJ. Chisora if he was motivated and fit would be a good opponent but you never know what Chisora is going to turn up nowadays....

I'd be avoiding anyone like Helenius for a few fights, maybe get AJ in with someone who can move and box a bit and extend him. Fury would be a good candidate, but If I were Hughies team I'd avoid a murderous puncher with a killer instinct for a little while.

Fury fight would be good to see yeah. Why would you avoid Helenius? Do you see him as that much of a threat? I reckon AJ would deal with him pretty handily tbh. A rematch with Whyte later in the year wouldn't be the worst idea. Enjoyed the first fight. Or do you let them go their separate ways and build any potential rematch?

Give AJ and Whyte a year and 3 or so fights to build to a December rematch.
The fight won't be any smaller in a years time, decent fight and pay day again for both...

[Happy Slapper]

I think Chisora is a fair fight at this stage although a lot will say Chisora is shot (which maybe he is).

[wesshaw1985]

Boxing Gossips take - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MWQIFvYQAI

[ThereByTheGrace]

I think Chisora is a fair fight at this stage although a lot will say Chisora is shot (which maybe he is).

Yeah chisora is a level Joshua hasn't been to before. Might be done but chisora has only lost to decent fighters

[SMALL AXE1]

CHISORA IS FIGHTING TOMORROW IN GERMANY.