LONDON (AP) — Itataya nina Anthony Joshua at Joseph Parker ang kanilang mga titulo at reputasyon sa pagtutuos sa unification ng heavyweight title sa Marso 31 sa Cardiff, Wales.
Magaganap ang pinakahihintay na sagupaan nang dalawang dominanteng fighter sa Principality Stadium. Kapwa walang talo ang dalawa kung saan tangan ni Joshua ang 20-0 marka at si Parker ay may 24-0 karta.
Liyamado ang 28-anyos na si Joshua (WBA at IBF) sa pustahan ng mga boxing aficionados na napatunayan ngh dumuging ng 90,000 fans ang laban niya sa Wembley stadium kontra Wladimir Klitschko nitong Abril. Naisalba niya ang unang pagbagsak sa career sa first round tungo sa 11th round TKO win. Ang laban ang itinuturing na ‘biggest heavyweight fight’ sa kasaysayan ng boxing sa Britain.
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Sakaling manaig sa 26-anyos na New Zealander (WBO), inaasahang makakatapat ni Joshua ang walang talong American Deontay Wilder (WBC) sa pinakaaabangang duwelo sa heavyweight.
“These fights aren’t easy because there is a lot on the line, so respect to Team Parker for taking the challenge,” pahayag ni Joshua . “And you know me, I love this game. I am looking forward to it, training camp is underway and before you know it March 31 will be upon us.”
Ang huling undisputed heavyweight champion of the world ay si Lennox Lewis noong 1999, at nais itong pantayan ni Joshua.
“Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock. A couple of months ago I heard him say, ‘Why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand?’” pahayag ni Parker.”Well, now he’s about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch.”
Ikinasiya ni Eddie Hearn, promoter ni Joshua, ang katuparan nang inaasahang duwelo ng dalawang matiukas na fighter.
“I’m delighted to get this fight made ... Champions should fight Champions and AJ continues to step up to the challenges,” sambit ni Hearn. “It’s the first time in history that two reigning heavyweight world champions have met in Britain. It’s a classic match-up between two young, fast, undefeated belt holders and it’s going to be an explosive fight.”
