Nelson Could See Joshua Blasting Out Breazeale Like Martin

Undefeated American heavyweight Dominic Breazeale will challenge Anthony Joshua for his IBF title at London's O2 Arena on June 25. The 30-year-old former US Olympic heavyweight was selected Monday as Joshua's opponent for his first title defence.

Joshua, the super heavyweight gold medallist from the 2012 London Olympics, knocked out Charles Martin in the second round at the O2 Arena on April 9 to take the title from the American.

Breazeale has won 15 of his 17 fights by knockout. In his last fight in Los Angeles in January, he overcame a knockdown to remain unbeaten when Amir Mansour quit before the sixth round with an apparently broken jaw.

Breazeale lost a decision to Russia's Magomed Omarov in the first round at the London Olympics. Joshua is also eyeing a potential heavyweight unification bout against fellow British fighter Tyson Fury, who holds the WBA, IBO and WBO belts.

Former champion and Sky Sports Analyst Johnny Nelson expects a solid performance from Joshua.

"It's an intriguing one. They're both relatively young as professional fighters. I know Anthony Joshua is a little younger but they're both young in fight terms and I think it's a good fight. Breazeale is 6'7" and he's an athlete - he's a former quarterback. I've seen some of his fights on YouTube and he's got fast feet. That'll be from the drills they do in American Football training, so he'll be in and out quick," Nelson said.

"His upper body isn't as quick and I don't think he's as big a banger as Joshua even though he's knocked out 15 of his 17 opponents. I think Joshua is more of a concussive puncher. Breazeale hits clean and hurts but he's not a concussive knockout merchant like Joshua so I think it's a good fight. The Americans love him. These guys will have crossed paths at London 2012. Breazeale went out of the super-heavyweight competition in the first round but I'm quite sure they would've had an eye on each other.

"To me, it's a good first defence. The Americans of course want to get the jewels back over there so he's the boy they're bigging up. They're thinking he's going to be the one to do it and we'll see. It's down to Anthony Joshua. He shut Charles Martin out and Martin again was unbeaten up until that stage with a good knockout ratio and everything. I can see Joshua doing exactly that to Breazeale if he's on form."