Friday 3 June 2016 16:50, UK
Anthony Joshua must make a name for himself in the United States before a "mega-fight" with Deontay Wilder, says the American’s promoter Lou DiBella.
The Olympic gold medal winner and IBF heavyweight champion recently signed a Showtime deal but has no plans to head Stateside yet as he gears up to fight Dominic Breazeale in London on June 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
But DiBella, the representative of WBC champion Wilder, believes it is inevitable that Joshua will risk his perfect 16-fight record overseas soon.
If Joshua rises to the level of the most elite, he's got tremendous potential as a fighter and an attraction.
"Getting exposure in the United States is of critical importance, and Eddie Hearn knows what he's doing," DiBella exclusively told Sky Sports.
"It was critical for Eddie to get a deal to give Joshua exposure. I think Joshua is a superstar in the making, he is the golden boy at your end of the pond.
"Lennox Lewis became quite the star in the United States and I think if Joshua progresses as some believe he will, if he rises to the level of the most elite, he's got tremendous potential as a fighter and an attraction.
"His deal with Showtime is very positive for him, and for the heavyweight division."
Joshua is unbeaten having knocked out all his opponents, most recently America's Charles Martin to win a world title in just his 16th fight.
But DiBella feels Wilder, at 30 four years older than the Londoner and unbeaten in 36 - four of which were world title fights - is the superior fighter at this time.
"I tend to see Deontay having an advantage in most situations because of the extraordinary one-punch power," he said.
"Dillian Whyte was able to put a hurt on Joshua, so I would give Deontay an advantage, particularly right now.
"But Joshua will get better, he's still a young heavyweight. It's strange to describe a heavyweight champion as a work in progress. He's still learning with each fight. I'm a fan of AJ and I think the best is still to come.
"I don't expect Eddie to toss AJ to the wolves anytime soon. I would expect a learning curve for Anthony before we see a mega-fight."
Watch Anthony Joshua on The Gloves Are Off with Dominic Breazeale from Sunday, On Demand.
