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Anthony Joshua: Six possible opponents including David Haye and Dereck Chisora for 9 July Wembley showdown

Joshua beat Charles Martin inside two rounds to win the IBF heavyweight world championship on Saturday night

Declan Warrington,Jack de Menezes
Sunday 10 April 2016 14:47 BST
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Anthony Joshua became the new IBF world heavyweight champion with his second-round stoppage of Charles Martin in London on Saturday night.

Here, we evaluate six potential opponents for his next fight, which his promoter Matchroom says will take place on 9 July at Wembley Stadium.

1. Shannon Briggs

The 44-year-old American is more likely to fight David Haye later in the year, but Briggs has appeared at events surrounding Joshua to spark rumours. When asked if he was a potential opponent, Joshua did not dismiss the possibility. He is a danger to himself, however, if he continues to remain active.

2. Dominic Breazeale

Another American, the undefeated 30-year-old is in contention through being in the top 15 of the IBF's heavyweight rankings and among those to not have a fight scheduled. Would also not be considered a risk.

3. Andy Ruiz Jnr

The Mexican, 26, is ranked in the top 10 by the IBF. Has won each of his 26 fights, but his past three have been via decision owing to a lack of true power. His last fight went the distance with Raphael Zumbano Love, who Joshua stopped in two rounds in May 2015.

4. Dereck Chisora

The 32-year-old is scheduled to fight Kubrat Pulev on May 7, so something would have to change, but the fact he is so well known in the UK and there is a close relationship between his promoters, the Sauerland brothers, and Matchroom, means that this match-up is far from unthinkable.

5. Johann Duhaupas

Frenchman, 35, who is likely to enter the IBF ratings having knocked out the 12th-ranked Robert Helenius last week. Also helps that he went 11 rounds in a defeat to WBC champion Deontay Wilder in September, with Matchroom keen to build Joshua on an American television network.

6. David Haye

Joshua refused to rule out the possibility of facing the former WBA heavyweight champion in July, although the 35-year-old will need to change his plans in order to set-up a Wembley Stadium showdown. Haye will fight Arnold Gjergjaj on 21 May and is due to take on Briggs in September, but he could feasibly scrap the Briggs fight in order to take on Joshua, with enough time in-between the fights to complete a six-week training camp. Haye admits that he wants to fight Joshua, but sees the match taking place sometime next year.

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