Hearn outlined a three-year plan for Joshua when signing the hard-hitting Londoner on the back of his Olympic gold medal at London 2012, which then turned into three and a half due to some niggling injuries only the way.
Joshua had made easy work of all twelve opponents faced until Saturday night – taking all out within three rounds, leading to digs at both Hearn and the contender himself about the level of competition fed to the amateur star.
In taking just two rounds to get rid of veteran Kevin Johnson, who had never been halted and had previously gone the distance with Vitali Klitschko and Tyson Fury, Joshua has gone some way to shut those pessimists up who wanted quicker progress.
“That was devastating. We witnessed the future Heavyweight champion of the world,” purred Hearn at the O2 Arena.
“We have to do things right and we will progress him at the right pace. He will be out in July in Manchester and you will love the fight we have here for September 12. He is a great fighter and he is Great British. We have a few names there but we will fill this place again. This guy is going to beat every single Heavyweight in the world.
“We have a chance for a heavyweight to fly the flag for Great Britain and let’s all enjoy the journey of Anthony Joshua,” he added.
The only way is up now for Joshua who is on the fringes of colliding with the best around and is on course to fight for a world title in the next 18 months.
Opponents in the ilk of Carlos Takam, former WBC title holder Bermane Stiverne, David Price conqueror Tony Thompson and Manuel Charr would be perfect foes to ready Joshua for the big time in early 2017, which without doubt will end with the Watford man being crowned world champion and reigning for some time to come.
