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Anthony Joshua switch could help Katie Taylor become undisputed champ


Something which has been predicted in boxing circles for the last number of weeks looks set to come true.

Anthony Joshua is likely to NOT fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday April 13th – and it could help ensure some big news for Ireland’s Katie Taylor.

The WBA-WBO-IBF heavyweight champion had the date at the London football stadium booked in but has had trouble finding an opponent, with WBC champ Deontay Wilder and former beltholder Tyson Fury set to rematch and negotiations with rival Dillian Whyte proving tortuous.

It now looks that Joshua will fight American Jarrell Miller in New York at the Madison Square Garden Arena in June – with the Olympic gold medallist confirming as much in a widely-publicised leaked phone call.

This afternoon, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn admitted that a fight in New York with Miller is a strong possibility, while Sky Boxing boss Adam Smith believes that the Big Apple is the front-runner.

Tonight, it has been reported tonight by Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine that a deal has been done.

June 1st or 8th would certainly fit Taylor’s schedule and, while Hearn did not mention the Bray fighter as an undercard possibility in interviews today, it is widely believed that she is a near-certainty for the card.

Taylor has appeared on three Joshua bills in her career thus far, notably winning her first world title versus Anahi Sanchez in Cardiff in October 2017.

The IBF and WBA lightweight champ hopes to become undisputed this summer before moving into a potential headline clash with seven-weight champion Amanda Serrano.

This would mean taking on WBC champ Delfine Persoon and a New York fight date for Joshua could prove crucial.

Negotions with the Flemish fighter have been fraught, with Persoon’s team keen on the fight taking place in Belgium – but this stance had an exception.

READ: Delfine Persoon changes approach on Katie Taylor fight

Persoon’s trainer, Filiep Tampere, had suggested a June fight in America on a Joshua undercard would be enough to tempt the green belt holder out of Belgium.

It now looks like the opportunity may be presented to them.

First though, Taylor must take the WBO belt from Brazilian Rose Volante in Philadelphia on Friday March 15th while Persoon has to overcome mandatory challenger Melissa St Vil on March 9th.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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