Anthony Joshua’s opponent for his June 1 US debut at Madison Square Garden will be revealed today according to Barry Hearn.
Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) was originally scheduled to fight New Yorker Jarrell Miller before he was ruled out – after failing a second drugs test that leaves promoter Eddie Hearn with the urgent need to find a replacement.
Eddie has been holding talks with some of Joshua’s potential opponents for his scheduled defence and his father Barry Hearn has confirmed that a deal is close to being finalized.
“There is a chance he (Eddie Hearn) makes the announcement today because I know he’s very close to sealing a deal,” he said.
“We have five likely opponents but we’re never going to be blackmailed into doing anything stupid, we don’t work like that. The final list is there but AJ still makes final call.
“I believe the eventual opponent will be at least as tough if not tougher than the Miller fight, and I believe it will be a fight that will go down very well with the proper boxing fans.”
Luis Ortiz, Trevor Bryan, Michael Hunter, Andy Ruiz Jr have all been touted as potential opponents.
