By Steve Kim
Earlier this year, Showtime announced that they had entered into an agreement to televise the fights of IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17KOs). So what's next for the former 2012 Olympic gold medalist from Britain?
Stephen Espinoza, the head of Showtime Sports tells BoxingScene.com,"What I've heard from [Joshua's promoter] Eddie Hearn is that Anthony wants to fight one more time before the end of the year. That will be in the UK and he's talked about some pretty attractive opponents"
"And then I think at some point in early 2017 I think we are going to try to get him a fight here in the United States and start the process of building his awareness here."
Espinoza is hoping that Joshua finds himself in a major fight on U.S. soil. One of the biggest fights to be made for him is a unification with WBC champon Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36KOs), who also fights under the Showtime umbrella.
"Whether that pays off with a Wilder fight, Joseph Parker or whatever it is, I think the U.S. audience is salivating, whether they are aware of his full potential or not," Espinoza said.
Joshua captured his title by stopping Charles Martin in two rounds on April 9th and then made his first defense by halting Dominic Breazeale in seven back on June 25th. Both bouts took place in London and both were televised back to America by Showtime. Joshua is expected to make the third defense of his title on a date in November. Some of the opponents being kicked around include Kubrat Pulev, Bermane Stiverne and Eric Molina.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
