Tuesday 12 July 2016 19:17, UK
Anthony Joshua says he would be happy to take on Bermane Stiverne in what many believe would provide the toughest test of his career.
The IBF world heavyweight champion has to fulfil a mandatory title defence against New Zealand's Joseph Parker (19-0-KO16) before the end of January but could well squeeze in another bout before that.
Eddie and Barry Hearn have both hinted that Stiverne could be top of the list and Joshua (17-0-KO17), who was at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday, admits the former WBC title holder could tick another box in his career.
"Joseph Parker is skilful and he'll be coming in undefeated," Joshua told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Stiverne is skilful and he's already been at the top and he's only had one loss to the world champion now (Deontay Wilder) and he's durable.
"People want to see me go the distance, to see if I've got the stamina, so I just think he fits that criteria."
People want to see me go the distance to see if I've got the stamina so I just think he fits that criteria
Stiverne (25-2-1-KO21) has gone the distance in three of his last four fights, including his first WBC world title defence that saw him lose to Wilder on points.
The 37-year-old was suffering from severe dehydration issues when he was outpointed by the 'Bronze Bomber' and has set his sights on a rematch.
However, Wilder defends his title live on Sky Sports 3 this weekend against Chris Arreola, the man Stiverne stopped in six rounds to be crowned world champion.
Joshua, meanwhile, was quick to pay tribute to fellow British world champion Kell Brook, who agreed to take on unified middleweight supremo Gennady Golovkin in September.
Brook is the IBF world welterweight champion but will have to move up two weight divisions, the same as bitter British rival Amir Khan did when he lost to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in May.
Like Joshua, Khan is "100 per cent behind" the Special One, but AJ admitted moving up to middleweight could pose a problem for the unbeaten Sheffield star.
"The weight issue is quite interesting," he said. "Weight does play a big part in this sport and in anything below heavyweight it plays a massive part, so it's very possible, but I hope Kell Brook does well.
"It would've been Golovkin-Eubank Jr and the same weight makes sense, but all credit to Kell Brook for taking that fight without hesitation."
