By Gabriel Princewill-
Britain’s IBF heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, will defend his IBF title against Eric Molina in Manchester on 10 December, it has been officially announced.After Fury’s withdrawal from the Klitschko rematch citing depression, Klitschko was reluctant to fight a dangerous man like Joshua for the lighter regarded IBF belt. In the meantime, Australian heavyweight Joseph Parker, who was the IBF mandatory challenger for Joshua’s title, opted to fight for the WBO belt against Andy Ruiz, causing the WBO belt to also disappear in the process.
Following Parker’s pursuit of the WBO belt, European champion, Kubrat Pulev, became the no 1 contender for the belt. However, Eddie Hearns has opted for 34-year-old Eric Molina- a solid contender with only 3 losses on his record.
Molina is credited for being the only man to engage WBC champion Deontey Wilder in a tough stalemate fight for nine rounds before succumbing to the lethal blow of the Alabama power house early this year. He is likely to provide a thorough examination of the IBF champion’s credentials.
Anthony Joshua’s clash with Molina will provide a benchmark for assessing Joshua’s potential, given the tough opposition he posed for Wilder. Joshua’s stock will rise immeasurably if he disposes of Eric Molina before the halfway line, making him a formidable force in the sport’s premiere division.
Joshua is the Brightest
Joshua is Britain’s brightest heavyweight since the retirement of Lennox Lewis in 2004. He has knocked out all of his 17 opponents in impressive style- all his opponents have had winning records.
Britain’s Dillian Whyte is the only heavyweight to have provided an acid test to the IBF champion, but was eventually dismantled after a grueling seven rounds in an action-packed contest. Eric Molina is likely to test Joshua and tell us more about his future prospects.