The Famous 5: Analysing Anthony Joshua's Chances vs. the Big-Name Heavyweights
So, after recording a 17th straight win inside the distance, what's next for Anthony Joshua?
After retaining his IBF title on Saturday by stopping Dominic Breazeale in Round 7, the unbeaten heavyweight revealed his plans for the near future: Take a break.
Englishman Joshua had just two weeks off in between his coronation against Charles Martin and beginning preparations for his first defence.
Now he will get the chance to take an extended break from training and recharge his batteries.
According to Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian, promoter Eddie Hearn said after the Breazeale fight:
"He [Joshua] won’t say but he had a virus for a couple of weeks. There were times when we were considering to take the fight or not. And after the Martin fight, because of the commercial deals, he’s just been non-stop [promoting], with broadcasters, sponsors. He’s been absolutely relentless, with hundreds of people chasing him down the road, camping outside the hotel in Canary Wharf.
It takes a lot out of our boy. He needs a long rest now, to just go and sit on the beach with his mates and mess around.
"
Once he's fresh and ready to fight again, there are five notable names out there for the 26-year-old to target: David Haye, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder.
Bleacher Report has taken out the crystal ball to break down what might happen if Joshua went up against the quintet (though obviously not all at once).
David Haye
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David Haye is waiting in the wings for an opportunity at a big name.
Since returning to the ring after more than three years out, The Hayemaker has knocked out Mark de Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj—two heavyweights he'd barely bother using as sparring sessions.
Shannon Briggs is expected to be his next opponent, but what the two-weight world champion really wants is a fight against one of the top dogs in the division.
Joshua obviously fits the bill—and Haye is confident he can put an end to his fellow Englishman's perfect record.
While working for Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday, he said (h/t Isaac Robinson of SkySports.com): "The more I've watched him [Joshua], the more confident I've got. He's looked better winning his fights in style but the way he's won them, I don't believe it's anywhere near enough to beat me in any way, shape or form."
How would the fight play out?
Haye—who stands at 6′3″—would be up against a bigger man in the 6'6" Joshua.
However, he found a way to overcome all 7'0" of Nikolai Valuev to win the WBA heavyweight title in November 2009.
With the help of new trainer Shane McGuigan, Haye would work out a plan to nullify Joshua's power while always knowing he hits hard enough himself to produce a knockout.
Likely outcome: Haye would be a dangerous underdog. In the end, though, his performance against Wladimir Klitschko (despite that toe injury) makes you wonder if he could cope with Joshua.
Tyson Fury
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Tyson Fury's rematch with Wladimir Klitschko on July 9 is off.
The reigning WBA and WBO champion announced the postponement in a post on his Instagram account, revealing he had suffered an ankle injury while training.
A new date will be set for the second bout between the pair—Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) won their first meeting last year, beating Klitschko on points in Dusseldorf, Germany.
However, the Englishman knows a fight against compatriot Joshua is a lucrative option for the future, particularly if both men are holding world titles.
He's also confident of winning, should they ever meet in the ring.
According to Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail, Fury said he would "knock Joshua out well inside one round."
How would the fight play out?
Despite what you may think if you watch his antics in the media, Fury is a clever fighter who makes use of his assets.
At 6'9", he would have a small height advantage over his domestic rival. He's also been well drilled to utilise the jab, a weapon that was so crucial in beating Klitschko.
However, a one-round knockout seems unlikely. It took Fury 10 rounds to shift Dereck Chisora, and he was also taken the distance by American journeyman Kevin Johnson.
Likely outcome: Too close to call. Could Fury's mind games get to the usually unflappable Joshua?
Wladimir Klitschko
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Wladimir Klitschko must now wait to find out when his postponed bout with Tyson Fury will take place.
The Ukrainian fighter activated a rematch clause in the contract after losing the first fight on points. It was his first defeat in over 11 years.
Considering he is now 40, Klitschko isn't going to be interested in meaningless fights.
Joshua is a fan of Dr. Steelhammer. He told Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph: "If I had to pick someone to follow, and a role model, I’d definitely follow Klitschko’s regime."
But business is business. With Fury injured, Klitschko could consider taking on another Englishman instead.
It would be an intriguing battle between the old and the new in a division that has suddenly become interesting again.
How would the fight play out?
The pair previously sparred together, with Joshua involved in a Klitschko training camp in 2014.
The big question over Klitschko is his willingness to stand in range. He barely engaged with Fury, cocking his right hand on plenty of occasions without ever bothering to pull the trigger.
Joshua's 100 per cent record of KO victories makes him an extremely dangerous proposition for a man who has, albeit a long time ago, been stopped in the past.
Likely outcome: Klitschko's performance against Fury was so poor that you have to wonder how he would cope against Joshua, a fighter who is capable of knocking out opponents with either hand.
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Joseph Parker
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Sooner or later, Joshua is going to come up against Joseph Parker.
The New Zealander is the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, a position he earned by beating the teak-tough Carlos Takam on points in May.
Parker boasts a 19-0 (16 KOs) record as a pro.
Takam was by far the biggest test of his career to date—the 24-year-old had the odd moment of concern but proved his stamina and skill by earning a unanimous-decision verdict on the scorecards.
After seeing his man defeat Dominic Breazeale, Eddie Hearn admitted Joshua could make his second defence of the belt against Parker before the end of 2016.
Per Declan Warrington of the Press Association (h/t the Daily Mail), Hearn said: "We like the Joseph Parker fight, that's the mandatory, we'll have to deal with that at some point, whether that's November, December or whether that's March, April that's a good fight."
How would the fight play out?
Both heavyweights were tipped for the top from the start of their professional careers.
At 6′4″, Parker would have to deal with giving away two inches in height. However, Takam is a tougher opponent than anyone Joshua has faced so far.
Likely outcome: Joshua's size and power makes him the favourite to triumph.
Deontay Wilder
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Deontay Wilder is flying the flag for American heavyweights right now.
The Bronze Bomber (36-0, 35 KOs) is the reigning WBC champion. His next defence was due to be against Alexander Povetkin, only for his Russian opponent to fail a drugs test.
Instead he will face Chris Arreola—a veteran fighter who has lost twice in his career to Bermane Stiverne, who Wilder defeated to claim the WBC belt—on July 16 in Birmingham, Alabama.
However, Wilder needs big fights at this stage of his career.
He was a very interested viewer as Joshua stopped the brave Breazeale in London at the weekend.
After working the bout for American broadcasters Showtime, Wilder tweeted: "Eddie Hearn said sooner than later, so let's make sooner."
How would the fight play out?
If Joshua and Wilder meet in the ring, it's unlikely the judges would be required. The pair combine for 52 knockouts in the paid ranks.
Yet both men have been questioned over their ability to take a punch. You fancy whoever lands the heavy shot first would come out on top.
It would certainly create interest on both sides of the Atlantic, no matter where the bout is staged.
Likely outcome: Wilder has the better record right now. However, the likelihood is the duo don't meet in a ring until some time in 2017. Much can change before then.
How highly do you rate Joshua? Would any of the other leading heavyweights end his perfect record? Have your say by using the comments section.
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