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British knockout artist Anthony Joshua would be happy to face another unbeaten heavyweight - Gary Cornish - at the O2 Arena on September 12.
Olympic champion Joshua, who has caused a stir in the boxing world by knocking out his 13 professional opponents to date inside three rounds, was last seen halting - and retiring - Kevin Johnson in two on May 30.
The likes of Dillian Whyte and David Price have been mooted as potential domestic opponents for later in the year but in the meantime, Joshua appears to have his sights set on Scotland's Cornish who is promoted by Kellie Maloney and boats an unbeaten record (21-0-0-KO12).
Joshua, 25, told SportsMail: "Gary Cornish is a very good opponent. We went up to Scotland once before and the atmosphere was unbelievable. He's a big strong guy and is someone I'd like to box.
Gary Cornish is a very good opponent. We went up to Scotland once before and the atmosphere was unbelievable.
Anthony Joshua
"The initial opponent we were trying to get organised was Dillian. He’s someone who’s beaten me as an amateur and been vocal about fighting me.
"We took up the offer and were very interested. We spoke to him, he seemed interested, but when it came to the final stages he wasn’t up for September - he wants a bit more time, which I understand. It’s a tough fight for both of us so we’ve both got to prepare.
"That’d be perfect for setting me up for boxing Whyte later in the year. Not really style wise, but definitely to build up that momentum. It’ll build me towards the Whyte fight.
"Dillian is another stepping stone. I’ve higher ambitions than beating someone who is 14-0. The only issue I have is that he should stop talking about me and focus on his own career.
Dillian Whyte: Another 'stepping stone,' says Joshua
"If his ambitions are to beat me he’s got the wrong mindset. He should be aiming higher than that. I don’t understand why he’s so sprung on beating someone like me.
"It surprises me because you should want to beat the best in the world. I’m not the best in the world yet. People ask if he’s my rival? No, he’s not a threat to me."
Joshua boxed in Scotland in March 2014, when he wowed the Glasgow locals with a ruthless first-round stoppage of Hector Alfredo Avila at the Scottish Exhibition Centre.
Olympic champion Joshua, who has caused a stir in the boxing world by knocking out his 13 professional opponents to date inside three rounds, was last seen halting - and retiring - Kevin Johnson in two on May 30.
The likes of Dillian Whyte and David Price have been mooted as potential domestic opponents for later in the year but in the meantime, Joshua appears to have his sights set on Scotland's Cornish who is promoted by Kellie Maloney and boats an unbeaten record (21-0-0-KO12).
Joshua, 25, told SportsMail: "Gary Cornish is a very good opponent. We went up to Scotland once before and the atmosphere was unbelievable. He's a big strong guy and is someone I'd like to box.
Gary Cornish is a very good opponent. We went up to Scotland once before and the atmosphere was unbelievable.
Anthony Joshua
"The initial opponent we were trying to get organised was Dillian. He’s someone who’s beaten me as an amateur and been vocal about fighting me.
"We took up the offer and were very interested. We spoke to him, he seemed interested, but when it came to the final stages he wasn’t up for September - he wants a bit more time, which I understand. It’s a tough fight for both of us so we’ve both got to prepare.
"That’d be perfect for setting me up for boxing Whyte later in the year. Not really style wise, but definitely to build up that momentum. It’ll build me towards the Whyte fight.
"Dillian is another stepping stone. I’ve higher ambitions than beating someone who is 14-0. The only issue I have is that he should stop talking about me and focus on his own career.
Dillian Whyte: Another 'stepping stone,' says Joshua
"If his ambitions are to beat me he’s got the wrong mindset. He should be aiming higher than that. I don’t understand why he’s so sprung on beating someone like me.
"It surprises me because you should want to beat the best in the world. I’m not the best in the world yet. People ask if he’s my rival? No, he’s not a threat to me."
Joshua boxed in Scotland in March 2014, when he wowed the Glasgow locals with a ruthless first-round stoppage of Hector Alfredo Avila at the Scottish Exhibition Centre.
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