Everybody wants a piece of Joshua, but will the price be right.
Since the news broke that Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test ahead of a scheduled June 1st championship bout against Anthony Joshua, the heavyweight division has been in flux.
Although fight fans want to see Deontay Wilder face Joshua just as bad as they want Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence, there was at least a semblance of order.
However, with Wilder gearing up to face Dominic Breazeale and Tyson Fury prepping for his ESPN debut, for the first time in a while the heavyweight division is confused.
In addition, the often overlooked heavyweight prospects are now looking get their shot at the Anthony Joshua prize.
Boxing’s Biggest Prize
Not since Floyd Mayweather, Jr. announced his “retirement” fight in 2015 has there been this level of anticipation for a champions potential opponent.
Before Andre Berto was given the welterweight divisions biggest prize, everyone from Keith Thurman to Shawn Porter was clamoring for Mayweather’s last stand.
Although he eventually fought Conor McGregor as his true finale fight, the stakes were high and Berto received the call as a benefit of advisor Al Haymon’s altruism.
Now Joshua is the biggest prize in historically the world’s favorite division. He is in his prime with all but one belt, the WBC, to his name.
After Luis Ortiz turned down what he called a low-ball offer from Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, other lesser known heavyweights have entered the fray.
According to a statement from Promoter Don King, he has been waiting for Hearn to return the calls he has made to him to offer interim WBA heavyweight champion Trevor Bryan as Joshua’s next opponent.
“All I am hearing is a bunch of lies out there,” said King. “They are saying I asked for $15 million for Bryan to fight Joshua. I haven’t asked for a dime. I haven’t talked to Eddie, but I’ve left multiple messages and he certainly has my number. I’m ready to talk to Hearn or Joshua and Bryan is ready to step in and make the fight.
“Based upon my wonderful relationship with Eddie Hearn’s father Barry, I would be happy to help promote this great boxing extravaganza between Anthony Joshua and Trevor Bryan. This would give boxing fans around the world a great championship fight which they richly deserve.”
The other candidates considered most recently to replace Miller are Andy Ruiz (32-1, 21 KOs) and Michael Hunter (16-1, 11 KOs) however, they are all lower level fighters.
The fallout from Jarrell Miller’s “mistake” has opened opportunities for lesser known fighters. However the question that is now the elephant in the game is will boxing and Anthony Joshua be at a disservice with the current options?
All signs point to yes.
