Joshua to fight Molina on December 10

Anthony Joshua will defend his IBF World Heavyweight title for the second time against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10.

Joshua made it 17 wins out of 17 when he beat Dominic Breazeale at the O2 Arena in June, having stopped Charles Martin at the same venue to win his first world title back in April.

The 27-year-old Brit, whose victories have all come inside the distance, will face another American in the form of the experienced Molina at the Manchester Arena next month.

Molina knocked out Tomasz Adamek in April after failing to prize the WBC title off compatriot Deontay Wilder last June and the 34-year-old will get another shot at a belt when he steps into the ring with Joshua.

Wladimir Klitschko had been earmarked as a potential next opponent for Joshua, but an injury sustained by the 40-year-old Ukrainian put paid to that fight.

Joshua said: “I am pleased that everything is now set for December 10 and I can concentrate on getting the business done in the ring.

“There has been plenty of talk about who I may face but all I’m doing is concentrating on finishing Molina in style and putting on a great show.

“Every fight is dangerous in this division and this is no exception. I saw Molina have a great fight with Wilder and he is now coming off a strong KO win against Adamek in Poland.

“I’m expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war.”

Molina said: “There is no Heavyweight in the world that has bounced back like I have. That’s the man that Joshua faces on December 10 and that man is a very dangerous one.

“He’ll fight the toughest Molina that anybody has ever seen, just like Adamek fought the toughest Molina.”

Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC world title on the same card.