Comments Thread For: Charles Martin-Anthony Joshua Announced, April 9 In London

[Scipio2009]

And credit to Martin for taking on the supposed biggest and best up and comer in his first defense!

This isn't eric molina folks.

Charles Martin arguably doesn't beat Molina either.

In case folks forgot, Charles Martin, before the IBF title was forced free, was barely rated as a top-50 heavyweight fighter.

With Martin limited by the WBC to only having optional defenses against fighters in their top 15, and Martin not really projected to beat any of them (as of 2/14/16, the IBF's top 15 fighters(available to Martin to fight, with the Haymon affiliation being considered) are Joshua, Takam, Parker, Cunningham, Stiverne, Pulev, Helenius, Chisora, Ustinov, and Breazeale), Martin's camp looked for the biggest payday and went with it.

[tomwalker]

Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua For IBF This 9, April

It's been confirmed by eddie hearn that martin is the next opponent for joshua.

[OctoberRed]

I guess you missed the 50 other threads and the dozen or so stories about the fight on the main page.

[tomwalker]

o alright i haven't seen the other thread previously posted sory

[Scipio2009]

What network will it be on in America? Showtime International or on of the PBC Broadcast network? Great exposure for Joshua in America

Honestly doubt that it gets to air in the US (though if it does, it'll be a Showtime International broadcast).

Matchroom Sport is on the cusp of being forced to make a decision; no different than with Ricky, the moment that the exposure breaks "across the pond" in the US, the training wheels are off (Hearn's door is gonna get beat down with offers from every HW/200 fighter, sans Fury/Wilder/Haye, to take on his guy)

[Scipio2009]

I hope Showtime picks it up. That would be a sick day of boxing that Saturday. Joshua vs Martin in the afternoon followed by the Pac/Bradley PPV.

The only way that Showtime picks up the fight, I'd imagine, would be if they had an evening card to pair with it (be it a Showtime Championship Boxing card or a ShoBox telecast).

Adding that such a show would be competing against a PPV makes Showtime picking it up even more unlikely.

[Scipio2009]

AJ should beat Martin but what happens after he wins? AJ is still a prospect and has never fought a top 10 fighter. I'm not sure he's ready for the best yet but if he wins the belt he has to fight all comers..

He defends his title against the other fighters rated by the IBF

Joshua beats Teper(IBF #3), Takam(IBF #5), Stiverne(IBF #10), Chisora(IBF #13), and Breazeale(IBF #15) right now, imo. You add in a Whyte rematch and a fight with David Price(two more guys that I think Joshua beats), and you've easily got 7-9 winnable marketable fights for Joshua to continue to build off of.

Fury/Wilder/Klitschko/(Povetkin/Pulev) are the only fights where there should be any doubt about Joshua, tbh

[LacedUp]

Charles Martin arguably doesn't beat Molina either.

In case folks forgot, Charles Martin, before the IBF title was forced free, was barely rated as a top-50 heavyweight fighter.

With Martin limited by the WBC to only having optional defenses against fighters in their top 15, and Martin not really projected to beat any of them (as of 2/14/16, the IBF's top 15 fighters(available to Martin to fight, with the Haymon affiliation being considered) are Joshua, Takam, Parker, Cunningham, Stiverne, Pulev, Helenius, Chisora, Ustinov, and Breazeale), Martin's camp looked for the biggest payday and went with it.

They still have to get in the ring with Joshua.

Full credit must be given, despite the obvious financial rewards.

[yoz]

They still have to get in the ring with Joshua.

Full credit must be given, despite the obvious financial rewards.

It's win:win, really. If he beats AJ, his stock will rise immediately (esp. among casuals); if he loses, he'll still be able to secure big fights against the likes of Ortiz.

Money talks, but full credit to him for taking this fight.

[hugh grant]

More like he lost the lottery. If he wins, he has to immediately fight Fury or disappoint his fanbase (if he gets past Wlad with a spongier ring and even shadier bottled water). If he loses, he lost to one of the worst title holders in heavyweight history. I know you Brits will always back your boys, but Deontay Wilder is a seasoned fighter compared to Anthony Joshua.

But the goal was to win a title and become champ and he won't get easier chance is my point!