Which opponent would you like to see the worlds number one heavyweight take on next time out? Your choice doesn't necessarily have to be who you perceive to be the most dangerous or deserving of the opportunity, just select whoever you want to see AJ fight later this year for whatever reasons you want. I didn't include Tyson Fury because of his inactivity and physical/mental/legal issues rule him out as a realistic next opponent, hopefully that's a fight we get next year.
Out of those options Luis Ortiz. I think he would be a nice scalp for Joshua and would be a live dog with a chance to win. But I know this fight is totally unrealistic and won't get made. Realistically he should fight Parker to get another belt and set up epic unification fight with Wilder. Then Fury next.
Wlad Klitchko...why not? i think it will be klitchko's last stand if he goes that route but we get the best fight. He cant fight Ortiz without getting stripped of the IBF belts.So Pulev has to come first. Hughie fury would be hilarious and hopefully Joshua fights Parker and wilder while they are still undefeated which is a good chance considering wilder will stay clear if possible from most guys on your list that poses a threat. we know we will get a whyte part 2 down the road and he still will have ortiz to obligate a fight as well as Tyson Fury. Many fights line up...however only one actually has the best chance of causing an upset and that's Klitchko.
Wlad is the obvious choice, but I'm gonna make the case for Whyte. You can argue Wlad's best chance has come and gone, Joshua will have improved, Wlad will have aged some more (going on 42, FFS) and I think AJ would come in a bit lighter than the first fight for mobility and stamina. Wilder won't fight him, it's too early for Parker, Matchroom don't want any part of Ortiz right now after two shockers - while they represented him - damaged his reputation in the UK, Haye has one leg, Povetkin has the drugs issue still tarnishing him and Pulev is a no-name easy night's work. H Fury is marketable on the surname, but Whyte is the only fighter to get far enough under AJ's skin to throw him off his game plan. Could he do this once again, or will Joshua show he's improved his mentality when challenged? And Hearn can sell this fight easily to the general sports fan who are now AJ's target audience. They genuinely do not like each other and sometimes that's enough to close the skills gap. Or Whyte gets blasted out in a beat down.... But the obvious choice is Wlad...
I made this thread because I was surprised how many posters were not in favour of the Joshua/Klitschko II, usually when such a big fight delivers on the entertainment front like their Wembley encounter did, there would be almost universal demand for the rematch. As for the IBF situation, Hearn has indicated Joshua may give up the belt although I would be (pleasantly) surprised if they did so to accommodate Ortiz.
Im just shocked no one mentioned Usyk,be happy for that bc they wouldnt be trolling they would be serious.
I picked pulev, probably the easier necessary fight. Gets a mando out the way and after last fight I believe a nice easy defense as a reward
That would be epic,we would see how Joshua fares in enemy territory where Wlad has even more following than Joshua...dont know about stadium size? But that would be the ultimate setting.
Vlad will announce his decision in June....................I expect him to fight the rematch.................Wilder will never go near Joshua, Klitschko, Fury, Parker, Ortiz, Povetkin, never............
Joseph Parker would be a great choice. Before or after a Waldo rematch. We all know Deonkey avoids AJ like the plague.