Read Why Anthony Joshua Agrees To Give Up One Of His Heavyweight Title
LAGOS JANUARY 5TH (NEWSRANGRS)-Anthony Joshua is ready to give up one of his four versions of the world heavyweight title in order to make sure the division stays entertaining.
The 2012 Olympic champion lost his title belts in June last year when Andy Ruiz Jr inflicted the British heavyweight’s first professional loss but Joshua regained the titles at the beginning of December with a brilliant performance in the rematch against the Mexican.
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AJ is under threat of losing one of his belts without even fighting as both the WBO and IBF have mandatory challengers lined up for him and want their belts to be defended soon.
Speaking to Sky Sports Joshua revealed he’d be okay with giving one of the belts up, saying, “I always said the belts do not represent me. I will stand as a champion, even if I have to give one up.
“It would give me an opportunity to face another world champion – I’ve beaten four world champions on my record now.
“If I give up a belt it creates more history and entertainment. If I have to, I’ll give it away – but I’ll get it back again.”
The 30-year-old won his first world title because the IBF are so strict on stripping champions who aren’t going to defend against their mandatory challengers.
Vyacheslav Glazkov was next in line for a title shot when Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko and the rematch between those two meant Glazkov wouldn’t have got his chance.
The Ukrainian lost the vacant title fight to Charles Martin with the American then going on to lose to AJ. It’s expected that the same won’t happen to the Watford born fighter as he’s likely to face Kubrat Pulev next.
Should he fight Pulev then it will mean that he’s likely to give up the WBO belt and give Oleksandr Usyk the chance to fight for his first heavyweight title.
The former undisputed cruiserweight champion has only had one fight at heavyweight but a WBO rule means he is the mandatory after going up a weight division as champion.
Most people will be hoping that AJ gets to fight the winner of Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury at some point next year but with the pair expected to have a third fight that might not happen till 2021 or beyond.
Who do you think Joshua will fight in 2020 and will he still be champion?
Sportbible.com
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jan 5 2020. Filed under National, Sports.
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