Executive Director of the promotional company Matchroom Boxing Frank Smith gave
interview for local media.
In a conversation, Frank answered questions about the next fight of the former heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) from Britain Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs), gave a forecast for the upcoming fight for the title of absolute world champion between the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and British WBC champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs), and also answered a question about former UFC champion Nigerian Francis Ngannou.
— Can you tell the news about Joshua? We heard some news here and there, can you tell us something?
Yes, we are aiming for April 1st. The focus for us is to keep it active this year. The plan for this year is three fights. Let’s hope I have news of April 1st very soon. We are moving towards this, but you know that Joshua has a dream – to become the undisputed world champion. And I believe he will.
Joshua took every test he had. He’s faced Usyk twice, he’s called Tyson (Fury) in the past, he’s fought all the big names. Is April 1st a step down for him? I don’t want to say “warm up fight” but is it a fight to get on the winning track?
“It won’t be an easy fight. It won’t be a walk. We need the right fight for him to progress. Now we are finalizing the details and the opponent and I think you will see a great fight on April 1st. The focus for Anthony Joshua is not money, he has made a lot of money, enough to leave now and lay on the beach if that were the goal. He wants to evolve, he wants to develop, grow in his boxing career. And I’m sure you will see it.
- It looks like the opponent for Joshua on April 1 has already been chosen – Hearn “burned”
– It seems that the fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is close. Can you choose a winner in this fight?
I don’t know if he’s close. First they said March, then something else … I don’t know. I think Usyk will win, but as a Brit, I hope Fury wins.
— I know that you are looking for an opponent for Joshua. Francis Ngannou has left the UFC. He talked about moving into boxing. Did he call you?
— To do it in a cage?
– Yes. In a cage, but with boxing gloves.
– We will see.