AMERICAN heavyweight Charles Martin is ready to step in for Anthony Joshua if the Brit’s knee injury rules him out of the Kubrat Pulev fight.
Joshua was pictured at the weekend attending a Black Lives Matter march in his hometown of Watford wearing a knee brace.
Anthony Joshua has been wearing a brace on his kneeCredit: Instagram
Charles Martin fought Joshua back in 2016 – and was easily beatenCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Then he confirmed he had picked up an injury while out running that could see him off exercise for four weeks.
Despite AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn insisting his man would fight Pulev before the year is out, Martin is already praying he gets his chance.
And it would mean the Missouri man gets the opportunity to win back the IBF belt he meekly lost to Joshua back in 2016.
Despite insisting he was the real ‘King’ of the heavyweight division, Martin was blasted out in two rounds at the O2 Arena.
But the 34-year-old American is the IBF No2 ranked boxer, with Pulev being the mandatory.
I think Charles could beat Pulev. I think Charles could beat Joshua if they fought again
Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing
Speaking to Sky Sports, Leon Margules, president of Warriors Boxing who promote Martin, said: “If Joshua is injured and can’t defend on a mandatory basis, and the title becomes vacant, we’ll fight Pulev for the vacant title.
“Charles Martin is fit, ready and waiting for that opportunity. We’ve been waiting for the opportunity for a long time.
“We were actually reading all about Joshua-Fury, and then thinking to ourselves that the IBF would then vacate the IBF title, because he didn’t do his mandatory. He’s already had exceptions.
“We would then demand the IBF vacate the title and allow Pulev to fight for Joshua’s vacant title.
“I think Charles could beat Pulev. I think Charles could beat Joshua if they fought again.
“I think Charles is a totally different fighter today than he was when he went over and fought Joshua.”
In a SunSport exclusive Joshua was pictured last week with a leg brace on while riding a scooter.
His promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the 30-year-old had felt a twinge in his knee while out running and will need to rest up for four weeks.
But according to the Daily Mail, the injury will not disrupt his plans to fight Pulev this year.
Hearn told the paper that the two will headline a show “planned for probably October or November”.
Anthony Joshua is scheduled to defend his heavyweight belts against Kubrat Pulev nextCredit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua will be ready to fight Pulev this year, according to his promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua says ‘we can no longer remain silent’ as he spreads positive messages about police violence, gang culture and youth engagement at peaceful Black Lives Matters protest in Watford
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
