Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has all but set his next bout for a March 8 battle against MMA sensation Frances Nganno, and if he wins, could face Filip Helgovic for the vacant IBF title in July. However, there is a new twist, or Joshua has another opportunity to choose from, according to relevant media reports, the WBA may ask Joshua to fight No. 1 fighter Martin Barclay for mandatory challenge qualification, and the winner will face the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
Originally, the WBA's No. 1 fighter was Deontay Wilder, but with Wilder's unexpected loss to Joseph Parker last month, the WBA removed Wilder's No. 1 challenger status in this month's updated rankings and replaced it with African Congolese fighter Barclay.
At present, Ben Shalom, the CEO of Barclays' Boxxer promotion company, has confirmed the relevant news, saying that the WBA has spoken to him, that is, to ask Barclay to compete with Joshua. Shalom welcomed this and offered to facilitate the Barclays vs. Joshua fight.
Speaking to Sky this week, Shalom said: "The WBA may order a final eliminator, and they've already talked to me, which is Barclays, Joshua fighting for mandatory qualification, and now we're waiting for instructions from the WBA." Barclay's goal is to race as soon as possible in 2024 to continue his great performances and I'm looking forward to Barclays reaching the top because he's very devastating. Joshua is now second in the WBA, so it makes sense that the two sides are asked to fight, and we're going to do our best to make this a fight. ”
The 30-year-old Barclay is arguably one of the most shunned fighters in the heavyweight division because of more power than fame. Shalom believes that with Barclay's winning streak, many people have shrugged off. "Barclay remains the most unpopular heavyweight in the world, and his recent performance has undoubtedly added to the situation," Shalom said. ”
Barclay and Joshua know each other well, he has served as each other's sparring partners, and the two have fought together many times. In addition to Joshua, Barclay has also served as a sparring partner for Fury, Usyk and others, which can be described as a rich experience. Barclay said that by playing Joshua, he knows each other well and is confident of victory.
"I learned how to stop Joshua, and he didn't know how to fight inwardly, so I put pressure on him until Joshua gave up," Barclay said. ”
It remains to be seen whether Joshua and Barclays will be able to face each other, and so far Joshua has not responded to this matter, but given Barclay's high-risk, low-reward characteristics, Joshua is likely to refuse this match, not to mention that he does not need to compete with Barclays for the WBA mandatory challenge qualification.
Barclays are good, but when he faced veteran Carlos Takam in his last outing, he soared to 299 pounds and looked sluggish and clumsy.
Barclays is now the No. 1 fighter in the WBA, and it is naturally best if he can directly impact the world championship, but Barclays knows what it means to fight Joshua, rather than participating in the boxing championship with a limited honorarium, it is better to face Joshua to get rich overnight, not to mention that he may not be able to lose, but it is difficult for Joshua to give him such an opportunity, if the WBA insists on Barclays to conduct a qualification challenge, then in the case of Joshua's refusal, Barclays does not rule out facing the No. 3 boxer Daniel Dubois, No. 4 fighter Joseph Parker and others, as for what will happen to Barclay and Joshua in a real fight? Judging by his performances in the previous few fights, it is estimated that it will be difficult to shake the opponent, and Joshua is likely to stop Barclay at that time.