11-02-2016, 09:47 AM
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua puts IBF title on the line against Eric Molina
Anthony Joshua will make his second defence of the IBF title against American Eric Molina.
Anthony Joshua will put his IBF world heavyweight title on the line against American Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10, the British fighter's camp said on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ Time).
"I'm expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war," Joshua said in a statement.
Joshua had been linked to a potential clash with veteran Wladimir Klitschko who lost his IBF, WBO and WBA belts to Tyson Fury last November. Klitschko hopes of a re-match were scuppered by Fury's mental health issues.
That fight could take place early next year, according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.
"Although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony's full focus," Hearn said.
Joseph Parker, the IBF's mandatory challenger, was also in the mix to meet Joshua before the Kiwi decided to focus his attention on the vacant WBO belt. Parker will fight Mexican Andy Ruiz for that title with a venue and date yet to be announced.
Joshua, the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist, will be making his second defence of the IBF belt.
In April, he stopped American Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round to take his professional record to 17-0.
Molina, 34, has fought for the world title once before, losing to Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in 2015.
- Reuters
Anthony Joshua will make his second defence of the IBF title against American Eric Molina.
Anthony Joshua will put his IBF world heavyweight title on the line against American Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10, the British fighter's camp said on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ Time).
"I'm expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war," Joshua said in a statement.
Joshua had been linked to a potential clash with veteran Wladimir Klitschko who lost his IBF, WBO and WBA belts to Tyson Fury last November. Klitschko hopes of a re-match were scuppered by Fury's mental health issues.
That fight could take place early next year, according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.
"Although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony's full focus," Hearn said.
Joseph Parker, the IBF's mandatory challenger, was also in the mix to meet Joshua before the Kiwi decided to focus his attention on the vacant WBO belt. Parker will fight Mexican Andy Ruiz for that title with a venue and date yet to be announced.
Joshua, the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist, will be making his second defence of the IBF belt.
In April, he stopped American Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round to take his professional record to 17-0.
Molina, 34, has fought for the world title once before, losing to Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in 2015.
- Reuters