You nailed it my friend. Clearly you pay close attention to the game & for that you should be commended. I like folks that come into a conversation prepared.Wales wrote:3. Erkan Teper
5. Carlos Takam
6. Joshua Parker
7. Vyacheslav Glazkov
8. Kubrat Pulev
9. Derek Chisora
10. Andy Ruiz
11. Bermane Stiverne
12. Robert Helenius
13. David Haye
14. Dominic Breazeale
15. Jarrell Miller
Takam fights parker soon. Chisora pulev fighting soon. Glazkov injured. Teper getting ban for steroids. So thats everyone from 9up taken. Haye got a fight lined up too.. Stiverne would make sense?,
As for Joshua's first title defense, yeah, the pickings are pretty damned slim.
The winner of Parker-Takam would be a good match, but with them fighting May 21, that's too quick of a turnaround.
And, as it's likely Parker that emerges from that one the victor, I tend to think that his people will want to take a bit more time with him before putting him in a world title fight.
Chisora-Pulev winner would be OK, but again, July 9 is too soon after that bout.
Glazkov will likely be given a shot as soon as his knee is mended, but who knows when that will be?
Ruiz is still fighting 8 rounders against journeymen & is scheduled to face TBA May 14. There's no way he's ready.
Helenius just got KO'd by Duhaupas, so he's obviously out. But the Frenchman is certainly a good possibility. Especially since he extended Wilder into the 11th, so there's that compare & contrast appeal.
Haumono isn't rated by the IBF ( nor should be IMO ).
Then there's Dom Breazeale & "Baby" Miller who're rated #14 & #15. I don't think either man has anything sceduled, so they could be possibilities as well.