Breazeale: Martin Was an Embarrassment, Joshua is Going Down

Anthony Joshua will face undefeated American Dominic Breazeale in the first defence of his IBF world heavyweight title this summer.

The 30-year-old Breazeale, who competed at the 2012 Olympic Games where Joshua won his gold medal, will travel to London's 02 Arena on June 25 for his first fight at world level.

His selection as Joshua's opponent comes after a long period of him being monitored as a potential challenger, according to the champion.

The 26-year-old Briton, who is expected to also face WBO and WBA champion Tyson Fury in the next 12 months, said: "My coaches have watched Breazeale for a long time and they knew he was going to be a player in the division and now we get the chance to go war on June 25.

Breazeale lost 19-8 to Russia's Magomed Omarov in the first round at London 2012 having taken up the sport at a late age following earlier attempts to be an NFL quarterback.

The 6ft 7in American has won all 17 off his professional fights so far, with his most impressive victory coming in January when he recovered from a heavy knockdown to defeat Amir Mansour, who withdrew after five rounds having suffered a fractured jaw.

Breazeale's emergence as Joshua's opponent also demonstrates the desire of promoters Matchroom to build the IBF champion's reputation in the potentially-lucrative US fight market.

His most decorated hoped-for opponents - including Fury, David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko - remain in Europe, but American Deontay Wilder remains the WBC champion and is another expected target should Joshua continue to develop.

Matchroom, incidentally, have made no secret of their plans to turn Joshua into a Pay-Per-View attraction on one of the American television networks HBO or Showtime.

"I did watch the fight. I thought it was a bit of an embarrassment on Charles Martin's part," Breazeale exclusively told Sky Sports.

"I think Charles Martin was a little overmatched and hadn't been through a situation like that before. Big kudos to Anthony Joshua for winning the way he did and now he's on to his next one, and it's going to be a tough opponent against me. That will be a shock to the world for sure. Going to a man's back yard and taking his belt. Take his crowd - please them - gain some fans. There is no better way to do it.

"I'm 17-0 with 15 KOs. Every man I've faced, I've put down on the canvas. Unfortunately, I've had two guys go the distance. They were able to get up off the canvas and finish the fight. I'm definitely going to ruin that perfect record. In the end, I'll be the last man standing. It's going to be a battle of two titans, but in the end it will be me raising my hand and holding a new belt."

"I'm fighting the gold medallist from my 2012 Olympic year," he said. "What better way to do it and prove to those that doubted me then, those who doubt me now, and those who are going to be respecting me after June 25. He was a good fighter in the heavyweight class of 2012 Olympics. But I honestly think he lost to the Olympian for the gold medal match. Prior to that, I didn't even know who Anthony Joshua was, going into the Olympic city, until he had that tough bout on day one."