Anthony Joshua’s opponent for US debut to emerge today

The long wait for an opponent to fight with world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is about to be over after Matchroom Sport chairman, Barry Hearn revealed that a challenger will be announced today (Tuesday).

Anthony Joshua’s camp has been shopping for another heavyweight challenger for his scheduled defence at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1 after American boxer, Jarrell Miller failed a second drug test.

The search may all but be over according to Barry, father of Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn who revealed that a deal for a new challenger is about to be finalised.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Barry said; “I know he’s very close. I understand there’s every chance he’s going to make an announcement tomorrow, so it’s getting there.

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“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 (today).”

Miller who was earlier denied a license by New York boxing officials over a failed test, failed a second drugs test, thereby truncating his planned June 1 fight against Joshua.

The US boxer who has a strong record of being undefeated in his 24 professional fights, was primed to take on Joshua at Madison Square Garden for the WBA, IBF and WBO titles but all that was dashed after he tested positive for human growth hormone (HGH).

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