Hearn Defends Anthony Joshua vs. Dominic Breazeale

by David P. Greisman

Anthony Joshua is one of three heavyweight world titleholders. His next opponent is not seen by an overwhelming majority of boxing observers as being anywhere near that level.

Dominic Breazeale is undefeated, but the 6-foot-7 prospect hasn’t been overly convincing so far in his development. He took a unanimous decision over tough journeyman Fred Kassi last September in a fight that appeared far more competitive than the judges had it.

And Breazeale was having a difficult time against another tough journeyman, Amir Mansour, before Breazeale dug in and broke Mansour’s jaw, forcing Mansour to retire in his corner after five rounds this past January.

Nevertheless, it is Breazeale who is next for Joshua after a title win against Charles Martin, who had the belt but was also seen as ripe to be picked off and put away.

“People say Charles Martin was terrible — Charles Martin was still an undefeated 6-foot-6 southpaw that Anthony Joshua had to figure out, and he did it very well and very explosively,” Hearn told reporters on April 30. “Also, it was a good performance. We know we’ve got to build him and he’s got to learn, but we’re also under pressure because he’s a pay-per-view fighter [in the United Kingdom].

“So Breazeale was a guy that, yeah, we got a little bit of criticism, but in the grand scheme of things he’s another Olympian, 17-0. On paper, it’s OK for a first defense. Will he try harder and give more than Charles Martin? Yeah, I think he will. Will he get knocked out? Yeah, I think he will. But from there, that’s when one starts developing.”

There had been several opponents Hearn was pursing for the June 25 date at the O2 Arena in London before ending up with Breazeale.

“With the IBF rankings, the options were Johann Duhaupas, Andy Ruiz, Eric Molina — we liked that fight, but it was too difficult to make — and Breazeale. Those were our options. Breazeale’s got a good record. Deontay Wilder had how many fights before he fought for a world-title? 32. Anthony Joshua boxed for the world title in his 16th fight.”

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