By Elliot Foster
Eddie Hearn has added more fuel to the fire about the speculation surrounding a potential heavyweight world title fight.
His charge, Anthony Joshua, who has raced to a perfect 15-0 record since making his professional debut in October, 2013, could find himself vying for a world title in the spring.
Joshua, who is set to return to the ring on April 9 at London’s O2 Arena, was called out by the IBF heavyweight champion, who won the vacant title back in January when he benefited from an early knee injury to Vyacheslav Glazkov.
And Hearn has confirmed that talks are ongoing to try to secure the 26-year-old Finchley puncher –– who is the current British and Commonwealth champion –– a shot at global glory just two-and-a-half years into a so-far glittering ledger in the paid code.
He told Boxing Scene: “Charles Martin wasn’t necessarily part of our immediate plans but he called the fight on and we are talking to see if it can be done.
“There is still a long way to go, but sure it is a possibility for April 9.”
With regards to the other options in the pot, Hearn was coy, but did say that a fight with Martin would be top of the list with the silverware that would be on the line during the showdown.
He teased fans of the Olympic champion, taking to social media to say: “[There is a] slight delay in announcing [Annthony Joshua’s] next fight as we finalise contracts in this exciting heavyweight division.
“Watch this space.”
Elsewhere, the reported IBF eliminator that was on offer [to Joshua] against Carlos Takam was never approved by the sanctioning body because the situation with their leading contender Erkan Teper –– who failed a drug test after beating David Price –– remains unresolved.
And Joshua, who was the first available contender to meet mandatory challenger Dereck Chisora for the vacant European title, turned down that opportunity.
Tickets will go on sale and the full card will be revealed after the final decision regarding Joshua’s 16th foe is confirmed.
