Joshua vs Molina: Anthony Joshua can send a warning out to America, says Johnny Nelson

Anthony Joshua will defend his IBF world heavyweight title against Eric Molina and Johnny Nelson believes it's an opportunity for the Brit to send a warning to America and the rest of the heavyweight world...

This is a chance for the boxing world to see exactly where Anthony Joshua is at.

So far he hasn't been tested in fights we expected him to be tested in and he's blasted them out, so I do think we need a yardstick.

I want to see what he makes of Eric Molina. I know the American is by no means Wladimir Klitschko. But I'm sure Wlad, like the rest of us, will be waiting to see Joshua's progress.

Molina is a perfect yardstick for Joshua. It will take his name back across the pond and America will see how he compares to Deontay Wilder.

If Joshua struggles with Molina - and we have seen the very best have trouble with guys we expected them to walk through - then people will know about it everywhere.

Molina is not shot and the one thing we know is, he will give everything he's got. The one thing in boxing you can't beg, borrow or pretend you've got is experience. He has more than most that were linked with the December 10 showdown.

The other champions are tied up with the proposed fights coming up. I know David Price was mentioned and domestically it would sell, but regardless of the history between them, it would not have made waves worldwide.

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But if Joshua struggles with Molina - and we have seen the very best have trouble with guys we expected them to walk through - then people will know about it everywhere.

America will hear about it and watch it and we know Wladimir Klitschko will be sitting there rubbing his hands together.

If Joshua blows Molina away, Klitschko might have a different opinion, but having read the quotes that came out recently, he doesn't look like he is going to retire without having at least one more fight.

Does he want his legacy to be him being beaten and bamboozled by Tyson Fury? I don't think so. But it does mean that Joshua can send an early warning his way.