Sport

EVERY top heavyweight in the world is looking to cash in on the immense pulling power of ‘Billionaire Brit’ Anthony Joshua.

Heavyweight ace plotting his next move after beating Klitschko in Wembley thriller and has plenty of options to pick from.

EVERY top heavyweight in the world is looking to cash in on the immense pulling power of ‘Billionaire Brit’ Anthony Joshua.

Champions, mandatory challengers and hopefuls from all the major organisations are forming a not-so-orderly queue in a bid to fight the division’s box-office star.

Eddie Hearn has been discussing who Anthony Joshua could fight nextCredit: Alamy

Joshua, 27, made his third successful defence of the IBF title and also claimed the WBA Super crown when he sensationally stopped Wladimir Klitschko in 11 brutal rounds.

That £50million Wembley megafight propelled the Watford lad to a new level and his mission now is to capture the WBC and WBO belts.

But to achieve that, Joshua’s team must also find a way of fulfilling his obligations to defend the IBF and WBA straps.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “There is no way of simplifying what happens next because there are simply so many options.

Tyson Fury has made no secret of his desire to fight JoshuaCredit: PA:Press Association

“No one is putting obstacles in the way but the other champions also want to be at the head of the queue.

“Who Joshua fights next is still to be decided. It’ll become clearer by the end of next week following Joseph Parker’s defence. Everyone who witnessed what happened at Wembley were without doubt amazed at the 90,000 crowd.

“It has whetted the appetite of the world’s best to come to the UK and fight on this country’s big shows, building to a megafight against Joshua.”

Wladimir Klitschko would like a rematch after the thriller at WembleyCredit: Rex Features

Parker hinted he was ready to fight here, immediately after yesterday’s dull points win over Razvan Cojanu in Auckland. The Kiwi never looked like knocking out his Romanian challenger but extended his unbeaten run to 23 fights with a 119-108 117-110 117-110 decision.

Parker, 25, said: “I have done my best to keep fighting in New Zealand but it is time to take it overseas for more coverage.”

Scouser Tony Bellew, 34, called Parker out when he tweeted: “All I’m reading is you wanna see me Vs @joeboxerparker. I sign for this and his reign is over real quick.”

Hearn said: “With Parker I believe the options for his next fight are either Tony Bellew, Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder or AJ.”

Deontay Wilder is looking the most likely option for AJ right nowCredit: Getty Images

Bellew, the WBC world cruiserweight champ, was catapulted on to the heavyweight scene when he beat David Haye.

Londoner Whyte, 29, has already lost to long-term rival Joshua, while American Wilder, 31,  would love to cash in on his WBC No 1 status by fighting in London.

Hearn added: “Possibilities to fight against Wilder are Josh, Parker, Bellew or Bermane Stiverne, who is his mandatory challenger.

“Joshua has a mandatory defence due for his IBF title but you can apply for a special exemption to delay it.

“That aside, you are either looking at a rematch against Klitschko or then perhaps Wilder, Parker or Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.”

Joseph Parker is also available if AJ wants to unify the heavyweight divisionCredit: Getty Images

That leaves Tyson Fury, 28. His proposed showdown with AJ, tentatively set for next April, depends on whether he gets his boxing licence back tomorrow.

Fury, who has suffered mental health issues, must also address an alleged failed drugs test.

He said: “Klitschko’s been out of the ring 18 months and had a 50-50 fight with a so-called 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er. I will rip the fraud from the division.

“AJ will be my easiest fight. I will play with Joshua like a cat with a ball of wool.

“I could come back with no comeback fights and still box rings around that body-builder.”

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