AJ next opponent? times ticking away now...

[Spiker]

I don't think that at all.

All I'm saying is that a couple of weeks ago we had two heavyweight world title fights on and now it seems like we're on the verge of having none. It's sickening.

Its ok mate I'm only pulling your leg. Its frustrating to say the least

[Like a Boss]

I'm expecting further delays.

The outcomes from the various meetings relative to Tyson Fury, his titles and his boxing licence, will still take another week or two to sort themselves out and until that happens things are likely to remain in limbo.

[Rob3_142]

I'm expecting further delays.

The outcomes from the various meetings relative to Tyson Fury, his titles and his boxing licence, will still take another week or two to sort themselves out and until that happens things are likely to remain in limbo.

Which is why I'm definitely thinking that it'll now be early/mid December that he'll fight. God damn annoying politics in boxing!

[Taansend]

I'm still hoping it'll be November 26 as I want to take the day off so I can see the Lomachenko Walters fight too.

[Andrew]

If it's not announced today I can see the date being moved.

[Frazier71]

If it's not announced today I can see the date being moved.

Swap today for Monday and I agree.

The Breazeale fight was announced on a Monday with tickets on sale that same week.

[Fearful_Freddie]

Increasingly looking like Wlad.

[the_doctor]

Increasingly looking like Wlad.

Hearn could barely contain himself

Clearly both parties want it, clearly Hearn is confident, but this is boxing and nothing is guaranteed until they're facing off in the ring...

[Like a Boss]

Hearn now saying 'announcement next week' for about the 3rd time, and going on to say :

"Myself and Bernard Bonte (Klitschko's promoter) are working together and we really want to get this done. When all parties want to get a deal done, generally it comes together.

"It's certainly not done yet but Anthony Joshua getting Wladimir Klitschko should be the next fight. Fingers crossed we can get there."

"If it's Wladimir Klitschko, there's a very good chance it could be pushed into December."

[gilgamesh]

Hell Klitschko is probably pretty damn ready. He's been training for a fight with Fury for a while now.

[the truth]

AJ knocks out Wlad

[crusader]

Wlad is getting close to 41, will have been a pro for over 20 years by Nov 26th, and hasn't looked good for a while; now is a good time for the much fresher AJ to fight the old lion, and he should beat faded Wlad by stoppage.

[Boxing Writer]

Wlad is getting close to 41, will have been a pro for over 20 years by Nov 26th, and hasn't looked good for a while; now is a good time for the much fresher AJ to fight the old lion, and he should beat faded Wlad by stoppage.

I'm afraid step up from the guys like Whyte, Martin and Breazeal straight to Wald (even clearly faded version) might be too big for AJ. While Wlad's timing, reflexes and speed aren't the same they used to be, he still posesses enormous power in his left hook and Joshua won't box him like Fury, he will be there to be hit. Contrary to what people think Wlad likes when his opponent is coming at him. What he is afraid of is being hit by the counter punch.

I think it would be wiser for Hearn to wait with this fight until the June and give AJ two good/decent opponents in between. There's no way in hell that Wlad can lose lo Lucas Browne, even at 60 y.o. he wouldn't, so the fight between AJ and Wlad can be held at the Wembley Stadium in June 2017 after AJ wins another 2 fights and Wlad KOs Lucas Browne.

[Andrew]

Wlad is getting close to 41, will have been a pro for over 20 years by Nov 26th, and hasn't looked good for a while; now is a good time for the much fresher AJ to fight the old lion, and he should beat faded Wlad by stoppage.

I'm afraid step up from the guys like Whyte, Martin and Breazeal straight to Wald (even clearly faded version) might be too big for AJ. While Wlad's timing, reflexes and speed aren't the same they used to be, he still posesses enormous power in his left hook and Joshua won't box him like Fury, he will be there to be hit. Contrary to what people think Wlad likes when his opponent is coming at him. What he is afraid of is being hit by the counter punch.

I think it would be wiser for Hearn to wait with this fight until the June and give AJ two good/decent opponents in between. There's no way in hell that Wlad can lose lo Lucas Browne, even at 60 y.o. he wouldn't, so the fight between AJ and Wlad can be held at the Wembley Stadium in June 2017 after AJ wins another 2 fights and Wlad KOs Lucas Browne.

The second paragraph is exactly what I have said before this is a Wembley stadium fight and will make more money for everyone with a bigger build and bigger venue.

Duhaupas Nov 26th.

Parker Feb / Mar

Wlad July
Like you said there is no risk what so ever of Wlad getting beat in the meantime.

[Mimmy]

according to the mirror today

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/an ... ko-9002661

[mickey1975]

according to the mirror today

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/an ... ko-9002661

That's a summing up of last nights interview. I could have wrote it.

[samwbr]

Luis Ortiz has signed to Matchroom.....

[the_doctor]

Luis Ortiz has signed to Matchroom.....

Just spotted that myself. How will the BoxRec Forum deal with the news? A fighter that seems (almost) universally popular signing with the (almost) universally unpopular Eddie Hearn

Personally, I think Eddie is a brilliant promoter and if Ortiz wants to increase his profile, Matchroom and the UK is the place to do it

[TheLeprechaun]

What a move by Hearn. Ortiz is the dark horse of the division. Now he can keep him away from Joshua and use him to intimidate other heavyweights, who will try to avoid him like the plague. In Joshua, Whyte and Ortiz, he's probably got the heavyweight titles sown up if he can make the right fights. Joshua beats Klitschko to cement himself as number 1. Send Whyte off to take the title from Browne if that is possible. And then hunt down Joseph Parker for Ortiz. Leave Wilder as the other sole champ and he's very beatable, especially with his right hand blowing out in his last fight.

[boxingknockout]

Joshua v Lewinson?

[Like a Boss]

Hearn has played this beautifully, and by now people are believing anything.

[keithmoonhangover]

Hearn has played this beautifully, and by now people are believing anything.

What do you mean?

[Like a Boss]

Hearn has played this beautifully, and by now people are believing anything.

What do you mean?

Hearn has played the media beautifully and as a by-product the public during all of this. The speculation and counter speculation has created enormous interest in the heavyweight division.

[keithmoonhangover]

Hearn has played this beautifully, and by now people are believing anything.

What do you mean?

Hearn has played the media beautifully and as a by-product the public during all of this. The speculation and counter speculation has created enormous interest in the heavyweight division.

That and the fact that there isn't an opponent signed yet.

[Like a Boss]

What do you mean?

Hearn has played the media beautifully and as a by-product the public during all of this. The speculation and counter speculation has created enormous interest in the heavyweight division.

That and the fact that there isn't an opponent signed yet.

Exactly.

Money can't buy the sort of media coverage Hearn has got for Joshua,in particular, during all of this.