Anthony Joshua’s route to legendary status in 2018

There’s little doubt that Anthony Joshua is one of the biggest boxing superstars on the planet right now.

The heavyweight king currently holds the IBF, WBA, and IBO straps and is gunning to unify the entire division in the next 12 to 18 months.

Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder are the men standing in his way of doing so at the minute. Parker and Wilder are the other two heavyweight titlists.

However, there is another element to a scenario whereby we see Joshua become a fully fledged boxing legend.

Over the course of 2018 and slightly beyond, the Ladbrokes News crew plot a route for the Briton to reach a level whereby he will be truly remembered as one of the greats.

Joshua v Joseph Parker

First up, Joshua will most likely have to overcome WBO champion, Joseph Parker.

The New Zealander would certainly present a challenge. He’s durable and got a bit of power. However, since bursting onto the scene, he’s flagged a little as the quality of his opponent increased.

He’s also two inches shorter than Joshua and would be at a major reach disadvantage. The Briton shouldn’t have too much difficult adding the strap to his collection.

Joshua v Deontay Wilder

Joshua v Wilder is the fight most heavyweight boxing fans would currently like to see. The American is a bit of an anomaly in terms of his quality.

Through no fault of his own – his biggest opponents have all failed drug tests pre-bout – we’re just not sure how good he is.

However, standing at 6ft 7in and boasting frightening power, Wilder would be a huge obstacle for AJ – literally, and figuratively.

We’ll dissect that one a little more forensically if, and when, it happens.

Joshua v Tyson Fury

The wildcard fight. A battle of Britain. The biggest domestic boxing bout since Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno.

A lot depends on this fight – at its highest potential – ever happening. First of all, Fury must put his much-publicised troubles behind him and get back to full fitness.

That will be coupled with AJ putting Parker and Wilder away first, and Fury tuning back up with one or two warm-up fights.

If AJ can overcome the man who also beat Wladimir Klitschko, as well as totally unify the heavyweight division, his legacy will be complete.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing