Eric Molina hopes to be handed a shot at IBF champion Anthony Joshua this week

By Richard Damerell

Image: Eric Molina hopes to be confirmed as the next opponent for Anthony Joshua

Eric Molina hopes to learn soon whether he will be challenging Anthony Joshua as promoter Eddie Hearn considers new opponents for the IBF champion.

The American has already been contacted by Hearn about a possible world title shot at Joshua, who will press ahead with a second defence of the IBF heavyweight title at the Manchester Arena on December 10 despite Wladimir Klitschko's withdrawal from the fight.

Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn explains to Sky Sports News why the heavyweight world title fight with Wladimir Klitschko is off

British rival David Price is also on a shortlist for Joshua and Molina is anxiously awaiting news on whether he will be facing the unbeaten 27-year-old.

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Molina told Sky Sports: "I'm crazy enough to take this fight no matter what, but this is even pushing my envelope already. Something has got to give pretty soon."

Image: David Price has also been mentioned as a potential foe for Joshua

Discussing recent negotiations, he added: "Eddie did contact us through email and he did throw a proposal out, but it was just something to get a feel of where he's at. 

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Sky boxing experts Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson say Eric Molina is the most likely next opponent for Anthony Joshua

"I think if the fight is going to be made, we should have something by the end of the day. I haven't heard anything from Eddie Hearn what he's planning now or what, but every time I hear something there is a new name added to the list." 

Image: Molina holds 19 stoppages in his 25 wins, with just three defeats

Molina pulled off an upset stoppage win over former world champion Tomasz Adamek in April and hurt WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in the third round before being halted in the ninth last July.

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During that brave defeat, Molina dragged Wilder into the later rounds after repeatedly climbing off the canvas and he vowed to produce a similarly spirited challenge against Joshua. 

"You guys think that I can't go there and raise some hell? You guys are very mistaken," he said.

The whole world saw Wilder in spots that he's never been in before when he fought me.
Eric Molina

"You look at the fight. Knocked down four times, got up all four times. Fought five rounds with one ankle. Tried to win the fight until the absolute end. That's the type of fight that I'm going to bring. If it's me, they can expect that fighter and that type of fight.

"The whole world saw Wilder in spots that he's never been in before when he fought me. 

"All those fighters I have shared the ring with, either in sparring or in a fight, have been in that spot before."

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