Anthony Joshua to defend IBF world heavyweight title against Dominic Breazeale
Breazeale is 17-0
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Anthony Joshua will face Dominic Breazeale in the first defence of his IBF world heavyweight title at the 02 Arena in London on Saturday, 25 June, his promoters have announced.
Joshua, who beat Charles Martin in two rounds earlier this month, makes his maiden defence against the Californian native, who has 15 KOs in his 17 wins - he also represented the USA at London 2012, losing in the first round.
Joshua, of course, won Olympic Gold in east London.
"I can’t tell you how excited I am to fight again, especially at The O2 which I have made my fortress," said Joshua in a statement to Matchroom Boxing. "My coaches have watched Breazeale for a long time and they knew he was going to be a player in the division and now we get the chance to go war on June 25. It’s sure to be explosive, both of us like to let our hands go and score knockouts, we are both undefeated and both have Olympic pedigree.
"I am looking to get passed Breazeale in style and continue moving towards the unification fight everybody is waiting for. I’m looking forward to being part of a stacked night of boxing and defending my title in style."
Breazeale lost 19-8 to Russia's Magomed Omarov in the first round at London 2012 having taken up the sport at a late age following earlier attempts to be an NFL quarterback.
The 6ft 7in American has won all 17 off his professional fights so far, with his most impressive victory coming in January when he recovered from a heavy knockdown to defeat Amir Mansour, who withdrew after five rounds having suffered a fractured jaw.
Breazeale's emergence as Joshua's opponent also demonstrates the desire of promoters Matchroom to build the IBF champion's reputation in the potentially-lucrative US fight market.
His most decorated hoped-for opponents - including Fury, David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko - remain in Europe, but American Deontay Wilder remains the WBC champion and is another expected target should Joshua continue to develop.
Matchroom, incidentally, have made no secret of their plans to turn Joshua into a Pay-Per-View attraction on one of the American television networks HBO or Showtime.
It has also been confirmed that British super middleweight George Groves (23-3) will fight domestic rival Martin Murray (32-3) on the undercard in an eliminator for the WBA title.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments