Anthony Joshua should prioritize a debut fight in America before setting his sights on a showdown with Deontay Wilder.
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That is the view of British compatriot Amir Khan, who said the heavyweight star needed to raise his profile in the U.S. to become a "global star".
Khan has fought several times in the States, most recently against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in Las Vegas, where the Mexican scored a sixth-round knockout in May 2016.
But it was a big-money bout for Khan and brought with it the kind of attention that he feels Joshua — who faces Joseph Parker on March 31 in Wales — would easily attract if he showed off his skills for a stateside audience.
I gotta run further.. I gotta punch harder.. I gotta jump higher #AJBXNG pic.twitter.com/geDjsc42YY
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) February 5, 2018
"When you fight in America you become that global star, and that's what I did," Khan, who takes on Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool on April 21, said in quotes reported by Sky Sports. "People around the world now, wherever I go, they will recognize me because of U.S. television, how they promote you.
"One thing about the heavyweight division that AJ should definitely watch is — it's always been big in America with Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield. "Why not fight in a country where heavyweight boxing is big?
"If he wants to make a big name, I think he might want to fight there first," Khan added. "He will build his name up, he will get a good knockout against some up and coming fighter, and then he will be ready, because people will see him live on TV and live in America.
"They will be like: 'This fight needs to happen now.'
"That's a fight people want to see in America, they are already talking about AJ. I think he should go there."
Joshua will put his IBF and WBA belts on the line next month against Parker, whose WBO strap will also go to the victor. Wilder will defend his WBC belt against Luis Ortiz on March 3 in Brooklyn.