Anthony Joshua’s next opponent could be confirmed next week according to promoter Eddie Hearn, with a U.S. debut against Jarrell Miller looking increasingly likely.
Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) has London’s Wembley Stadium booked on Apr. 13 for his next fight, with the plan having been to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder to unify the heavyweight division.
Wilder though, is set to face Tyson Fury in a rematch in his next fight while compatriot Dillian Whyte has turned down what he branded a “ridiculous” initial offer to face the IBF-WBA-WBO titlist.
“There is radio silence from Wilder, Fury we’re talking to and Whyte we’re talking to,” Hearn told DAZN following Demetrius Andrade’s victory over Artur Akavov.
“He [Whyte] has got his price tag, Anthony’s got the price tag he wants to pay. It’s a voluntary shot for Dillian Whyte, and part of me would love to see Anthony Joshua come to the States.
With a shortage of potential opponents, Hearn believes now could be the right time for Joshua to make his U.S. debut with a June date at Madison Square Garden against Miller a potential option.
“‘Big Baby’ Miller is creeping into the top five right now,” Hearn added. “He’s making some noise in America.
“To be a global star, at some point you have to fight in America, and to see Anthony Joshua fill up Madison Square Garden, with 21-22,000, that is a real statement of intent for a heavyweight world champion, for a Brit especially, so we’ll see what happens.
“I think you’ll get a decision next week. For me, if he can’t get Wilder, Fury or Dillian, he must come to America and Jarrell would be at the front of that queue.
“Don’t be surprised to see Anthony Joshua in June against ‘Big Baby’ Miller in this very building [Madison Square Garden] in June.”