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Anthony Joshua will attempt to defend his IBF world heavyweight title at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, November 26.
The boxer from Watford will hope to successfully defend his IBF world heavyweight title he won from Charles Martin in April for a second time, after which he then defended impressively against American Dominic Breazeale.
Since his last fight in June, Joshua has been part of the BBC coverage of the boxing in the Rio Olympics; an experience he said added to his hunger and desire to train hard and get back in the ring.
The IBF heavyweight world champion hasn’t fought outside his fortress of the O2 since Many 2015. This was when he defeated Raphael Zumbano Love at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.
The 26-year-old Joshua is relishing the prospect of fighting up north after five consecutive fights at the O2. That saw win the British Commonwealth title, the WBC international heavyweight title and the IBF heavyweight title.
“When I first started my professional career I travelled all round the country fighting, which I loved. This is taking me back to the grass roots”, Joshua told Sky Sports.
“I can’t wait to get back up north and show the people of Manchester how much I have improved since the last time I was there. I have been inspired over the summer by the fighters in the Olympics, it has given me a new perspective and huge hunger to get back in the ring.”
The British boxer’s opponent will be named on 26 September. The possible candidates are mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, former world champion Bermane Stiverne and European title-holder Kubrat Pulev.
Since winning heavyweight gold at the London 2012 Olympics Anthony Joshua has experienced a meteoric rise. He has won 17 bouts, all by knock out and claimed a British title. As well as two world titles in his four-year professional career so far.
