By Edward Chaykovsky
The list of potential opponents is getting a lot smaller for the first title defense of IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16KOs).
The Olympic gold medal winner is likely going to return on June 25th at O2 Arena.
Joshua captured the world title two weekends ago, when he demolished unbeaten champion Charles Martin in two quick rounds at the very same venue.
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, has revealed a three fighter list for the upcoming date.
Because of the heavy interest from the American cable networks, HBO and Showtime, to televise Joshua's first defense - the opponent is going to be an American boxer who is ranked in the top 15 of the IBF.
The three man list includes former WBC champion Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21KOs), dangerous veteran Eric Molina (25-3, 19KOs) and unbeaten contender Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15KOs).
Stiverne is the only man to last the distance with WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Molina was knocked out by Wilder last year, but also rocked the champion and recently traveled to Poland to score a knockout of former two-division beltholder Tomasz Adamek. Breazeale, like Joshua, competed in the 2012 Olympic games but he was defeated in the first round. He last fought in January with a stoppage win of Amir Mansour.
"The IBF put out their new rankings today and we have to box someone in the top 15 of those rankings," Hearn told Sky Sports. "We expect from those rankings the likes of Bermane Stiverne, Eric Molina, Dominic Breazeale. Those kind of people will be in the mix. There has been big interest from US broadcasters in Anthony Joshua. I think a US opponent makes sense for us.
"He wants to go in with a real test and a bigger test than what he has been facing so far. The likes of those guys will provide that opportunity. Stiverne is a solid fighter. Eric Molina is just coming off a big win against Tomasz Adamek, a good fighter, went 10 rounds with Deontay Wilder and rocked him in the fight as well. Breazeale is dangerous, 17-0, 15 knockouts, 6ft 8in Olympian, so these are real guys and he wants a real fight."
