Gerald Washington wants to face Anthony Joshua if he defeats Dominic Breazeale
Tuesday 24 May 2016 13:18, UK
American contender Gerald Washington would welcome a future fight with Anthony Joshua, but will firstly help Dominic Breazeale prepare for the IBF champion.
The Californian has offered his services as a sparring partner for Breazeale before he challenges Joshua for the IBF heavyweight title at The O2 on June 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Washington is working towards a title shot himself after last month's points win over Eddie Chambers extended his unbeaten record to 17 victories, with just a solitary draw.
The 34-year-old was hugely impressed with Joshua's title-winning stoppage of Charles Martin in April, but the 6ft 6in Washington believes he would measure up well against Joshua, who is expected to fight in America in the future after signing a deal with US TV network Showtime.
"He showed a lot of calmness and a lot of power," Washington told Sky Sports. "It was explosive and was exactly what the heavyweight division needs and everyone in the world likes to see. That's what is so spectacular about him.
I'm very calculated and it's going to make for a terrific fight one day.
"I look at him and I see a mega-fight between a guy like him and myself in the very near future, because you need someone that will be big and strong, someone as athletic as him, somebody that can move.
"I've got all those attributes - plus I'm smart. You're not going to catch me reaching in, leaning over, or doing anything that is going to put me out of position. I'm very calculated and it's going to make for a terrific fight one day."
Breazeale will firstly receive a shot at Joshua and there was a tense confrontation when the fighters came face-to-face before their first press conference.
Washington was not surprised by the aggressive approach adopted by Breazeale, who is nicknamed 'Trouble' and believes he could spring an upset in Joshua's very title defence.
"I'm going to help Dominic Breazeale prepare for that fight," said Washington. "He's a good friend of ours, we kind of started at the same time, with the same manager, and we've worked together a lot already.
"This is the biggest fight of his career, fighting in London, for the heavyweight championship of the world, up against an exciting fighter such as Anthony Joshua.
"That press conference where they had the face-off, I watched that thing like 10 times, it got my juices flowing. I know Dominic and he's not a punk, he's not scared. He will step to the challenge and he's tough as nails.
"He can take a shot, he has a good chin, and he's very durable. He's going to come and bring it all night long. That's the type of fighter Dominic is.
"You've really got to put a lot on him to get him out of there and you might try your hardest and it might not be enough and then you're in trouble, because here he comes. Here comes trouble."
