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Home » Exclusive: Sexton urges Hearn to offer him April 9 Joshua fight

Exclusive: Sexton urges Hearn to offer him April 9 Joshua fight

The 31 year-old from Norwich is on a six-fight winning streak since losing in a British and Commonwealth title chance against David Price in May 2012 and hopes his recent unbeaten run is enough to persuade Eddie Hearn to pick up the phone.

Sexton last held a title of note in 2009 when victory over Martin Rogan saw him capture the 53-Nation belt on the back of success in the Prizefighter format before defending it in a rematch with the Irishman later that same year.

With only three losses from 21 contests and the in-form British heavyweight of the moment, Sexton seems the ideal candidate to oppose Joshua should the WBC number two decide against an immediate world title push.

“I haven’t been contacted by anyone yet regarding Anthony Joshua, but it’s definitely a fight I’d want,” Sexton exclusively told World Boxing News on Thursday.

“I respect him as a fighter and a man, but I saw some big flaws in his last fight and if they need someone for April 9th then I’m their man.”

Joshua, 26, has won all 15 of his encounters so far within seven rounds, and has been highly tipped as a star of the future since turning pro on the back of Olympic gold at London 2012.

The December win over Whyte was regarded as his best yet and a possible catalyst for an assault on the European title, although that path was blocked by the EBU’s decision to make Dereck Chisora mandatory challenger to current belt holder Robert Helenius.

That leaves Joshua somewhat treading water unless he completely bypasses European level altogether and possibly on the lookout for a domestic opponent – which is where Sexton is eyeing his own opportunity to make a name for himself.

“Dillian definitely wobbled him in that second round but Joshua took it well. Dillian is a big puncher too, but the stamina question wasn’t answered for me. How will he be when someone takes him past a few rounds? He definitely flagged very early,” pointed out Sexton.

“Up until the Dillian fight he had boxed opponents, not contenders. Everyone who he faced before was there to be beaten until he boxed someone who was hungry for the win and not just the payday.

“I think if Dillian had of been a championship fighter and wasn’t also used to blasting opponents out quickly, then we would have seen a different outcome as both men were tired early due to lack of rounds.

“Although I do rate Joshua as a boxer and a puncher, I think a fast mover like myself will definitely give him problems,” he added.

Promoter Hearn had a three-year blueprint to take Joshua to a world title back in 2013, but injuries suffered along the way could see that plan on hold until early 2017 and mean a Sexton clash would fit the bill nicely for the O2 Arena in the spring.