Unbeaten heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua obliterated American knockout puncher Eric Molina on Sunday morning to set up a lucrative bout against Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium.
Molina was not able to inconvenience, let alone hurt, Joshua once during the IBF world heavyweight championship bout in Manchester.
The 34-year-old veteran was a sitting duck from the opening bell. Joshua, who had only allowed four pro fights go past the second round heading into yesterday’s bout, was patient, calmly picking his shots.
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist created an opportunity in the third, flooring the timid Molina with a right-hand. The tough-as-nails American got back to his feet but was finished by a torrent of punches shortly thereafter.
Klitschko, who sat ringside during the important heavyweight bout, stepped between the ropes after the 27-year-old champ’s dominant victory to confirm the rumoured Joshua-Klitschko championship clash for the 2017 schedule.
“Klitschko wants his belts back and may the best man win,” a soft-spoken Joshua said to the crowd after the win. “I will worry about myself and training.”
Less than 12 hours earlier in New Zealand, Auckland’s Joseph Parker captured the vacant WBO heavyweight championship, winning a questionable decision against Mexican-American puncher Andy Ruiz.
In a captivating back-and-forth fight, the undefeated 24-year-old was backed into a corner early, losing five of the first six rounds.
Parker, the taller, leaner boxer, relied on his deep gas tank down the stretch to steal rounds, and, according to several boxing experts, the fight.
Two of the three ringside judges awarded Parker the heavyweight crown with scores of 115-113, and the lone dissenting judge scored the fight 114-114. On my unofficial card, I also had the fight a tie.
“What a dream come true,” the Kiwi said after punching his way into New Zealand’s history books by becoming the nation’s first heavyweight champion. “(Ruiz) showed he was a great fighter.”
Whether you felt that Parker deserved to hoist the championship over his head or not after Saturday night’s outstanding main event fight, there’s no denying that, along with Joshua, these 20-something-year-old, hard-hitting heavies represent new hope for the dumpster fire that recently was the heavyweight class.
For the longest time, boxing’s heaviest weight class was filled with slow, lumbering, non-athletic men with a few rounds of cardio under their belt. There are still a number of them who fill up the talent pool, but over the past few years, there has been a rise in athletic, marketable big men that have evolved into contenders and champions.
Joining Joshua and Parker on the A-Team of heavyweights stars to lead boxing into the next generation is Deontay Wilder, a six-foot-seven power puncher who has won by knockout in 36 of his 37 pro bouts.
The WBC heavyweight kingpin is not as youthful as Joshua and Parker, having recently celebrated his 31st birthday, but with his God-given skill and athleticism, it doesn’t sound absurd to suggest he has another half-decade as an elite fighter.
With this trio, along with established veterans like Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, and Tyson Fury, and a six-foot-four, 240-pound wild card like Luis Ortiz in the mix, the heavyweight division is suddenly one worth paying attention to.
Not since the late 90s, when the class was helmed by Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and a post-self-destruction Mike Tyson, has the heavyweight division been this interesting.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I expect a number of unification bout in 2017 it's going to be a great year for the heavyweight division
Ben
Roar Guru
When you're a worldo champion, you fight the mandatory challenger for your belt/s. If they can get a tune up fight within the allocated defense time, good on them. The good thing about the strength of the heavyweight division now, is that we're going to get to the point where ALL of the best heavyweights are going to have no choice but to fight eachother.
Rabbits
Guest
BL, when you win a world title you're expected to defend it against top tier opposition. The author and yourself seem to think Parker and by extension Joshua should face fighters at or around their level. That's a cop out unfortunately, because when you become champ you fight the best and then if that's not possible you fight next the top tier guys. So Parker shouldn't be ducking if his mandatory is David Haye or if Wilder or Joshua wants to unify belts. Hughie Fury and Jarrell Miller are two good fights Parker could consider if he can't get one of the other belt holders in the ring.
Bones506
Roar Guru
It is always a challenge when you go 17-0 and mop guys up. he has stepped his way up a few levels but agreed he has not fought anyone like Klitschko who is a very skilled heavyweight - excellent jab, knows how to clinch very well and has a big right hand. I think AJ will fight everyone - including Haye. The money will be there so why not. Interested to see how AJ fares against Klitschko - they used to spar against one another quite a bit several years ago so there will be familiarity between them. Klitschko has had 18 months out of the ring and will be 41 when he fights AJ. AJ has been fighting a lot and has youth and likely the engine to go 12. His work ethic and approach to training is very solid.
BigJ
Roar Guru
fair enough
Ben
Roar Guru
Haye's a boxer that can counter with speed and power. He'll give any fighter problems. AJ simply hasn't fought any of the elite heavyweights yet.
BigJ
Roar Guru
You reckon have will get him easy??? Under 6 maybe
Ben
Roar Guru
I think that regardless of how AJ goes against Klitschko. Haye and AJ will eventually get it on.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Agree mate but Hayne isn't a champ at the moment so why would he bother with him when he can get a shot at the big time. I don't know if Klitschko will beat him so easily. He hasn't fought in over a year and his last hit out was pretty poor but will see what comes in April
Ben
Roar Guru
I think the people jumping on the AJ bandwagon are maybe being blinded by the headlights of a guy that realistically hasn't fought anyone of note yet. Hasn't been past 7 rounds. Hasn't fought a guy the punches like Klitschko. And IMO, isn't even the best heavyweight in the UK... David Haye is. Just like the people who were aboard the David Haye bandwagon when he fought Klitschko, myself included. You will all be shocked when Klitschko disposes of AJ... I won't be. AJ should work on being the best heavyweight in the UK, before he messes with the big fish...
Ngati Tumutumu
Guest
I think Klitzchko fight will tell us more about AJ, to this point he hasn't really fought anyone that should trouble him, as you would expect of a prospect these days. But Klitzchko even at 41 is a big step up. Would have liked to see Klitzchko have a warm up fight as a 41 not fighting for a year has me thinking there will be a lot of rust there. As for the Parker fight on the night i had it as a draw with alot of swing rounds, but after watching it a second time with no sound I had Parker by 2 or three as for most of the fight he controlled the distance and was able to fend off Ruiz with his Jab and Cross, I would have liked to see more level changes with the jab and anyone saying Ruiz was robbed only was watching Ruiz constantly coming forward or accredited more to the in close exchanges which were too infrequent to ultimately give Ruiz the Fight imo. I'd like to see parker Fighting Hughie Fury next and then looking for another big guy tune up fight against maybe Dylan Whyte before taking on a AJ, Klitchko or Wilder.
Davico55
Guest
Wow fair rant that! Considering that Horn is Australian and was hoping to use this as a stepping stone to a fight with one of the best fighters of a generation not sure what your whinging about. How much coverage did Horn get in NZ? Or for that matter Joshua (who is far superior to Parker at this point) in either country?! The way Joshua fought he looked liked he would get beaten by not only Joshua, but Whylder, Chisora, Whyte and he was lucky to get past Ruiz. Don't get me wrong I like the guy, he is young and I hope he improves but not sure he deserves the amount of attention you are calling for outside his own country just yet.
Merino
Guest
thought the fight could have gone either way or a draw,If it was in Mexico quite sure would have gone to Ruiz.Parker slow to get started,once he got jab going did well.His big improvement was his lateral movement instead of going straight back into the ropes.The eventual plan of him jabbing and circling eventually paid off however in the last 2 rounds he seems to have stopped doing that whether it was through fatigue or just wanting to have a go but in my opinion why change a winning strategy,might not have looked the most exciting but a win is a win
BigJ
Roar Guru
Gday Justin, always enjoy reading your articles mate, yet another informative read. I am glad that the heavyweight division is so widely open and not just dominated by the Klitschko brothers. This will lead a new generation of fighters, I really don't see Fury ever stepping into the ring again, why would he? He has interacted that he has no interst in being a puppet for promoters and getting his head bashed in, he has enough money form his last fight no never fight again and with his health problems why bother so he is out if the picture. As for Joshua v Klitschko I really feel that Klitschko is now way over the hill and old man time has caught up with him and Joshua will easy dispose of him. I am surprise that Wilder never got the chance at Klitscko but I believe that he will be the next dominate champ. Hopefully all the boxing federations have their individual champs and have a title for title tournament of the course of a year to determine a new undisputed champ ( I don't think boxing has had a tournament like that since the 1970's). This would keep heavyweight division interesting with lots of unification bouts. Anyway you are correct the first time since the 90's and early 00's boxing in the heavyweight division is interesting again.
Tigranes
Guest
Got to say that some of these blokes don't look too athletic Andy Ruiz looks like he's got a bit of a paunch and Tyson Fury doesn't exactly look like he's in tip top shape lately either.
Overthehill
Roar Rookie
What a pathetic bunch.....[Australian Media] ,crybabies ....or even worse , don't mention it when they lose,or gloaters when they win, with really nothing else in the sporting world unless Aussie is involved, or even better..... winning. Well....that's the impression I get, and I see nothing in the current media line-up to convince me otherwise. Last week I'm looking through the news channels to see the latest updates on the Parker/Ruiz match,nothing. Plenty of talk about Jeff Horn etc,who had a good win and good on him,but let's be clear .....he was an undercard and not the main attraction as Channel 9's idiot sports presenter in Auckland kept alluding to. I almost felt sorry for Wally Lewis back in HQ,(was he gagged?] imagine reporting half a story and trying to be convincing. Here we are crowning a new World Champion and......nothing. OK,that's my beef. On the match itself,I actually think a draw was probably a fairer indication as I felt Ruiz for the most part just brushed off most of Parkers shots but didn't step it up enough. What a tuff guy he is,actually belies his physique, and I notice he wasn't puffing so much after round 12 either. Parker had more shots,how many connected?but I felt he also left a lot out there in the ring.Very quick hand speed,and looks like he can take a few shots as well.Still needs more power. As I understand it ,judges are from neutral countries with both camps having no bearing on final decision........just the crowd??
Justin Faux
Expert
I really enjoyed Parker-Ruiz. I think it was the perfect fight for Parker, it showed that he is great for a 24-year-old, but still needs seasoning before he's ready to face the elite of the elite. But he has youth on his side and is developing fast so fights against the top level won't be far off. As for Jeff Horn, Bob Arum brought up the fight vs. Manny Pacquiao both before and after the fight, so I think that will be next. And honestly, I give him a decent chance against Pacman.
KingCowboy
Guest
Parker v Ruiz was superb. I could not have argued with a draw, Ruiz win or Parker win. All round was just a great fight. In saying that, I am thinking that Joshua is on another level to everyone else but should be great to watch over the next five to ten years. Also great show by the Hornet. Hope he gets Bradley for his next fight in the states.