Anthony Joshua could well suffer the first defeat of his professional career when he faces Joseph Parker, according to Alan Hubbard.

Joshua unified the IBF, WBA, and IBO titles when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium last year, and is fancied by many to overcome the challenge posed by New Zealander Parker.

However, the BoxNation pundit and journalist is going against many fans' opinions by stating that an upset could be on the cards when the two meet in the spring, and the reason why is an interesting one.

"It would not surprise me to see Anthony Joshua lose his own trio of heavyweight crowns to WBO holder Joseph Parker in the spring," Hubbard explained.

"AJ seems to have accumulated a tad too much muscle of late, which is restricting his mobility – and he will need to be nifty against Parker who is a mover rather than a shaker.

"Parker may not be the greatest of world heavyweight champions, but he is a capable boxer who seems to have a decent chin and knows how to use the ring to steer clear of danger.

"But, perhaps more ominously, I fear that AJ may be due an off night after four years and 20 winning bouts and that the Samoan-born Kiwi, relatively humdrum heavyweight as he may be, looks just the type who might nudge Big Josh towards a sensational points defeat."

Few people will agree with this interesting claim, especially after Joshua came through his clash with Klitschko, an opponent who was seen as much more of a challenge than the relatively-unknown New Zealander.

However, few fighters go through their careers unbeaten, and Joshua may meet his match sooner or later.

Cardiff's Principality Stadium is the venue that is the current favourite to host the pair, and we will soon see if Hubbard's brave claim was a smart one.