Anthony Joshua: He is the Real Deal & UK Weekend Fight Schedule
Last week I began this column by bemoaning the fact that I had picked a fight to review that only lasted 100 seconds. At least my next review can cover a fight that got into the second round – it didn’t get much further than that as Anthony Joshua 16-0 16 KO’s, proved one thing – he IS the real deal.
Prince Charles Martin 23-1-1, 21 KO’s had travelled all the way over here to the 02 in London, England to face the might of Joshua. Like 14 of his other opponents he didn’t get further than the first quarter of the fight as a precision punch that he didn’t even see came through and knocked him on the floor. He got up, he got knocked back down again. He delayed his getting back up and with the referee calling it right, was counted out. Martin got the basics wrong and Joshua was punch perfect on them.
Last week I suggested that the IBF were looking for someone to place with Martin because he was not a big draw at the box office; Joshua is. That theme was picked up by Joshua’s last opponent and nemesis, Dillian Whyte 16-1- 13 KO’s. Whyte said he felt that Martin had just sold his belt to the highest bidder. Whyte was disappointed in the showing from Martin and believed that the guy knew before he arrived that he was not going to hold on to the belt long so just chose who would give him the biggest check at the end of the night. Ouch! No American pride?
I have no idea if we shall ever see Martin in a world title fight again – there are too many super fights out there that do not have his name attached. Since his win, the humble and down to earth Joshua has been enjoying the limelight. He has been quick to renew hostilities with one Tyson Fury 25-0 18 KO’s who was unimpressed by Joshua’s showing.
Fury will get back in the ring with Wladimir Klitschko 64-4, 53 KO’s on July the 9th in Manchester. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn has mischievously suggested that he has plans for Joshua that night too and we could see his first defense on that same evening. TWO world heavyweight title fights in the UK on the same evening? Surely not! But let me be very clear – Anthony Joshua went into the ring and fought the guy in front of him. With devastating power, he knocked down a heavyweight champion of the world twice to become champion in his 16th professional fight. I don’t care what other people may say – that impressed the hell out of me!
Onto this weekend and another sensational boxer that the UK has produced this time from the Northern English city of Leeds – Josh Warrington 22-0, 4 KO’s will defend his WBC international featherweight title against Hisashi Amagasa 30-5-2, 20 KO’s in his home town of Leeds on Saturday night.
Warrington is a sensation who has a fan base that is just crazy. This is on the same scale as the Hatton Army from Manchester that hit Vegas and drank it dry when they followed Ricky over the pond. These fans are certifiable… This is Warrington’s second defense of the international belt and we can expect the usual fire cracking entertainment that comes with one of the most exciting talents in the UK right now who has not made the leap to world title level – YET!
This is an intriguing fight for him as he faces a someone who put Guillermo Rigondeaux 16-0. 10 KO’s on the canvas twice on the way to losing in Osaka in December 2014 whilst fighting for the WBA and WBO super bantamweight belts. Amagasa has a very creditable 20 KO wins from his 30 triumphs and alongside the experience of being a pro for no fewer than 12 years, this is a massive test for Warrington. Though Amagasa has never fought outside his home country of Japan, Warrington will not be extending typical Yorkshire hospitality. He is more likely to be sending the poor guy back battered and bruised as the fans demand a bust up, he delivers a dust up and we all get our just desserts with a cracking fight.
I reckon that we are looking at a war which goes to the home fighter, possibly by stoppage. Like Joshua though, Warrington has a massive fan base and provides the spectacle. Just how good he is, is to be tested but on the evidence so far he is VERY good and the next guy on his radar fought on the undercard on Saturday night – Lee Selby 23-1, 8 KO’s. Selby sent out a warning to anyone wanting his IBF featherweight belt that night – he intends to keep it or move up a weight and get bigger fights.
He is ready for better fights and I would prefer Warrington went elsewhere but Selby is a catch and we might just see them together for 2017. For just now though – remember the name – as I reckon you guys in the US might be seeing this guy soon – you won’t mistake his barmy fans…
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