ANTHONY JOSHUA SHOULD prioritise a debut fight in America before setting his sights on a showdown with Deontay Wilder.
That is the view of British compatriot Amir Khan, who said the heavyweight star needed to raise his profile in the US to become a “global star.”
Khan has fought several times in the States, most recently against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Las Vegas, where the Mexican scored a sixth-round knockout in May 2016.
But it was a big-money bout for Khan and brought with it the kind of attention that he feels Joshua – who faces Joseph Parker on 31 March in Cardiff – would easily attract if he showed off his skills for a stateside audience.
“When you fight in America you become that global star, and that’s what I did,” Khan, who takes on Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool on April 21, said in quotes reported by Sky Sports.
“People around the world now, wherever I go, they will recognise me because of US television, how they promote you.
“One thing about the heavyweight division that AJ should definitely watch is – it’s always been big in America with Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield.
“Why not fight in a country where heavyweight boxing is big?
“If he wants to make a big name, I think he might want to fight there first.
“He will build his name up, he will get a good knockout against some up and coming fighter, and then he will be ready, because people will see him live on TV and live in America.
“They will be like: ‘This fight needs to happen now.’
“That’s a fight people want to see in America, they are already talking about AJ. I think he should go there.”
Joshua will put his IBF and WBA belts on the line next month against Parker, whose WBO strap will also go to the victor.
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Just when it seemed like the world couldn’t get much crazier … parody is surely dead now.
So what is the capital of Palestine ?
@Tricksy: Durkadurkastan
@Damien Murphy: 2 infidels going down fakalakadaka street
@Damien Murphy: I thought that was near tallaght ? Lol
@Tricksy: ya just down from the lidl
This lot are up there with rangers as one of the most disgusting clubs on the planet. Didnt have a muslim playing for them until 2015 I think, then signed two from Chechnya at once. Fans went nuts, protested training, walked out of the stadium when one of them scored on his debut and proceeded to go Arab hunting in Jerusalem after the game.
#FreedomforPalistine
Cool.
Good job Bush isn’t still president!!
Politics and sports,eh?
Fu€ked up
It’s just a publicity stunt on their behalf. FIFA rules won’t allow the name change.