14 July 2023 , 12:47
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Eddie Hearn has told Anthony Joshua he will have to beat Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury to earn his spot in the boxing Hall of Fame.
The Matchroom Boxing boss has guided Joshua's entire professional career after the Watford native won Olympic gold in 2012, and brought him to two runs as the unified heavyweight champion. But there is still debate over Joshua's credentials as a truly elite heavyweight of his era, given his results on the major stage.
Unlike Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who have never tasted defeat in the paid ranks, Joshua has lost three fights; twice to the Ukrainian and once a shock knockout against Andy Ruiz Jr. He immediately rectified the Ruiz loss, but was unsuccessful in his rematch with the former cruiserweight, leading many to doubt his claim to a top spot in the division.
In new footage showing Hearn and Joshua conversing backstage at Monday's press conference for his fight with Dillian Whyte, the pair can be see discussing the topic. And the promoter tells his client “If you beat Dillian, Wilder and Fury, you’re in the Hall of Fame.”
Joshua has already stopped Whyte once; his last fight before moving on to world honours, but will rematch his long-time rival on August 12 at the same venue in London's O2 Arena. And should he win again as expected, he has agreed to face Wilder in a massive grudge fight this December in Saudi Arabia.
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Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua have a close bond (PA)Do you believe that Anthony Joshua deserves a spot in the boxing Hall of Fame? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
There is still massive interest in a fight between Wilder and Joshua, even though neither man holds the belts in the division after being dethroned by Fury and Usyk. At one time, there was a clamour to see the duo, who held all of the belts between them as well as spotless undefeated records as professionals.
Joshua has raced through to success as a boxer, winning Olympic gold within a few years of training before becoming world champion within 16 fights. He then unified the division by knocking out Wladimir Klitschko, but there was a cloud over that fight with Fury having never been defeated for the IBF, WBA and WBO belts that were spread out when he vacated.