Barry Hearn: AJ Opponent To Be Announced Tuesday
As Anthony Joshua’s Madison Square Garden debut is nearly a month away, the chairman of Matchroom Sport, Barry Hearn, let it be known that fans will have to wait until Tuesday, for an opponent.
“I know he’s very close,” Barry Hearn told Sky Sports of his son, Eddie’s pursuit of an opponent for the unified heavyweight champion. “I understand there’s every chance he’s going to make an announcement tomorrow, so it’s getting there,” Hearn continued. “It’s difficult, it’s very difficult, the political world of boxing and the money they’re talking about, but it’s also difficult when a few people view it as an opportunity to put one over on AJ, or us, or boxing.
“We have five likely opponents, so it’s not a question we’re going to be blackmailed. We’re never going to be forced into doing anything stupid, because we just don’t work like that. Eddie is just playing the cards dead straight.
“AJ makes the final call, the final list is there and I believe the final decision will be known tomorrow.”
It has been two weeks since Jarrell Miller failed three pre-fight drug tests, losing out on his chance to face Joshua when the New York State Athletic Commission would not issue the Brooklyn born boxer a license.
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Initial Report: Sky Sports