Who next for Anthony Joshua?

26 June 2016 12:23

Anthony Joshua will have a short rest from his demanding schedule before making the next defence of his IBF heavyweight title, most likely in November.

Here, Press Association Sport evaluates five potential opponents for that fight, which is expected to take place at London's O2 Arena.

1. Joseph Parker

New Zealand's Parker became Joshua's mandatory challenger when winning last month's eliminator with Carlos Takam. Like Joshua, he is young and will be undefeated, assuming he triumphs against Solomon Haumono next month. Taking a mandatory defence would also give Joshua greater freedom in 2017, when bigger fights are expected.

2. David Price

The 32-year-old from Liverpool is again active after being stopped by Erkan Teper, and could yet benefit from the close relationship between his promoters Sauerland and Matchroom, who oversee Joshua's career. Teper being given a two-year drugs ban rebuilt Price's reputation somewhat, and also took his ranking with the IBF back into the top 15.

3. Johann Duhaupas

Frenchman, 35, who rose to fourth in the IBF ratings having knocked out Robert Helenius in April. It also helps that he went 11 rounds in a defeat to WBC champion Deontay Wilder last September, given Matchroom are keen to continue building Joshua's profile on American television network Showtime.

4. David Haye

Haye is expected to fight either Shannon Briggs or Tony Bellew in the autumn, but he would jump at the chance of earning a far bigger purse against Joshua if the offer was made. He is, however, considered a risk for a fighter of Joshua's inexperience and is a more likely opponent in 2017, when a fight could be staged in a stadium.

5. Jarrell Miller

Like previous opponent Dominic Breazeale when he was chosen, Miller is an athletic and undefeated American in the IBF's top 15. He is scheduled to fight in August, against an as yet unnamed opponent, but could prove suitable amid Matchroom's desire to continue building Joshua's profile in the United States.

Source: PA