The Anthony Joshua story rolls on after the first defence of his IBF World Heavyweight title against American Dominic Breazeale finished with a seventh round stoppage on Saturday night and the former Olympian now has a deadline for his next defence.
Joshua had the hardest fight of his professional career to date at the O2 Arena on Saturday night with former American footballer Breazeale showing more resolve than most of his previous opponents. Despite taking some big hits the formerly unbeaten heavyweight took till the seventh round to go down.
Now though the Brit's attentions must refocus on his next opponent, New Zealander Joseph Parker. According to Boxing News the champ has been given a deadline for his mandatory defence with the IBF telling the website, "We will notify Anthony Joshua that he must fight mandatory challenger Joseph Parker on November 9, 2016. The mandatory due date is January 9, 2017."
The 24 year old from Auckland has a 19-0 record and beat Cameroonian Carlos Takam on a unanimous points decision back in May in a title eliminator to face Joshua at a later date. He already has a fight lined up for July when he'll take on fellow New Zealander Solomon Haumono.
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Joshua was not number one candidate when he beat Charles Martin for the IBF belt so under their rules he must defend within nine months, hence the January date. A fight against Parker is likely to take place in November. Should a bout fail to materialise then Joshua would have to drop the belt, as Tyson Fury did which handed the title to Martin.
(Via: Boxing News)
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua, Boxing