Frank Warren Reacts To Hearn's Joshua Plan vs. Fury-Klitschko II

By Frank Warren

We know that BoxNation’s surprise acquisition of the Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko re-match has got up the noses of Matchroom and Sky.

Curiously, Eddie Hearn now promises he has ‘a little something’ planned [with Anthony Joshua] for July 9 at Wembley Stadium, the same night Fury meets Klitschko in Manchester. That’s not happening.

Well he should know that if it is to be Josh’s first title defence it will be well overshadowed by the WBA, IBO and WBO champion’s return with Dr Steelhammer.

Joshua’s challenger will almost certainly not be as illustrious or seasoned as Klitschko and the weekend of July 9 and 10 is already packed with top-level sport, with the Wimbledon singles finals, the Euro 2016 final, the British Formula One Grand Prix and the UFC 200 rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz all taking place over those two days.

We have known from day one that Joshua can punch but we do not know yet whether he can sustain his attack and work out his tactics over the championship rounds.

One thing Fury can do is box, and at the moment I have no doubt he would beat Joshua. I think even cousin Hughie might, too.

The big question now he has the title is who is he going to fight next. The stepping stone days are over. There can be no more bodies – or nobodies.

Yet the whisper is that up next is Malik Scott. The American who has been tweeting that he has a signed contract – if so that’s a joke. Dereck Chisora did him over here.

Popularity-wise Joshua certainly ticks all the boxes and at the moment he is the only one in his camp who seems to be talking any sense.

He’s no fool, he knows he’s got a long way to go. But deep down he must also know that the fella he felled so easily [in Charles Martin] simply didn’t come to fight.