Anthony Joshua to fight Charles Martin for IBF title

[Primo Carnera]

Definitely the right call from Hearn/AJ. You get a chance, go for it. It's not an easy fight, certainly not as easy as the bookies are making out, but it's a massive opportunity.
And for all those people who say, "he should be taking it slower, it's too big a jump," well at the level he's at, and the level he's going to, there are no easy fights. Good luck to him.

[Mark TKO]

Martin's record very similar to Joshua really so I guess does make sense

I would have had another fight first mind

[VG_Addict]

Not an easy fight for Joshua. He's never fought a big, tall southpaw.

[p4pking]

Good stuff, credit to both guys for getting it done. I pick Joshua, wouldn't be surprised if he blew him out but also could see him struggling if he isn't able to do that. Martin is just decent, but he is about the same size and a lefty, has a jab and some power so it's interesting.

[Master]

These are 2 undefeated youngish contenders not really for the real world title. When was the last time this has happened?

[Kirkland Laing]

I just heard. I know it's February but doesn't Wembley have a roof? I'm not sure they'd fill it but they can definitely make it worth hiring it.

I've not seen Martin other than his last fight but he's a big bugger and he's southpaw and got power. It's not like Joshua wouldn't get opportunities in the future for titles so this is a hell of a risk for such a big heavyweight prospect.

Has Haye announced his next opponent yet? If he hasn't he'll be having a good look at the IBF top contenders to see if he can make a date with them I'm sure.

[Tam Seddon]

It took Martin 10 rounds to knock out that stiff Love...

[Spicoli]

Good on Martin for traveling into his backyard and putting it out there, though he probably didn't have any say in the matter. Good fight at early stage for both and think its a coin toss. Martin has some rounds Joshua is lacking, first southpaw and pressure on Joshua at home just as much I think.

[Spicoli]

I just heard. I know it's February but doesn't Wembley have a roof? I'm not sure they'd fill it but they can definitely make it worth hiring it.

I've not seen Martin other than his last fight but he's a big bugger and he's southpaw and got power. It's not like Joshua wouldn't get opportunities in the future for titles so this is a hell of a risk for such a big heavyweight prospect.

Has Haye announced his next opponent yet? If he hasn't he'll be having a good look at the IBF top contenders to see if he can make a date with them I'm sure.

If Haye would just stay active and should Joshua take the trinket, they may just see fit to put Haye in one of those infamous "Not rated" slots in the ibf.

[Dark Lord Al]

Should be interesting as both are pretty raw and unproven.

[Kirkland Laing]

I just heard. I know it's February but doesn't Wembley have a roof? I'm not sure they'd fill it but they can definitely make it worth hiring it.

I've not seen Martin other than his last fight but he's a big bugger and he's southpaw and got power. It's not like Joshua wouldn't get opportunities in the future for titles so this is a hell of a risk for such a big heavyweight prospect.

Has Haye announced his next opponent yet? If he hasn't he'll be having a good look at the IBF top contenders to see if he can make a date with them I'm sure.

If Haye would just stay active and should Joshua take the trinket, they may just see fit to put Haye in one of those infamous "Not rated" slots in the ibf.

They might make him Interim Emeritus champion.

If Hearn, Joshua and Haye want it they'll find a way to rank him or make him mandatory even if he fights Roy Jones in March. him mandatory if

[denilson200]

I don't see Martin going past 3 rounds. Martin has not faced anyone at the level of Joshua. He's been calling out Joshua, well



Because that's a decision Martin will regret. He could have easily cashed out and fought a few Derek Chisora's type fighters (And I not even sure he would beat Chisora). But fair play to him he's taken on the most dangerous young heavyweight out there, when there were surely easier assignments he could have took but I don't see this as a dangerous fight at all for Joshua.