What if Anthony Joshua’s next opponent is not Tyson Fury or Daniel Dubois? Promoter Eddie Hearn names three possible candidates for the 35-year-old Brit.
Anthony Joshua (28-4-0, 25 knockouts) is set to return to training at the end of the month. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, his protégé wants to return to the ring in May or June. But against whom? Tyson Fury recently announced his retirement from boxing (once again). And IBF champion Daniel Dubois will first defend his title against Joseph Parker on February 22. It remains to be seen what the future holds for “Dynamite” in the heavyweight division. If Dubois wins, an undisputed fight against triple champion Oleksandr Usyk may be on the cards. Hearn is therefore looking around for other suitable candidates for Joshua.
Against bacole in Africa?
This could now include Martin Bakole (21-1-0, 16 knockouts), who threatened AJ with a beating just a few days ago (“I’ll knock you out in the first round!”). But also ring veteran Deontay Wilder: The 39-year-old former world champion has long been linked to Joshua and confirmed his comeback yesterday. “I’ve said that our two preferred options are Tyson Fury and the winner of Dubois vs Parker,” Hearn confirmed. “But if Tyson never wants to fight again and we don’t get the winner of Dubois vs Parker, AJ will still box.” This is planned for May or June.
Bakole had stated at “The Ring” awards in London that there could possibly be a big fight in Africa against Joshua, under the direction of Saudi boxing impresario Turki Al-Sheikh. The 33-year-old Bakole comes from the DR Congo, while AJ has Nigerian roots.
Hearn prefers Wilder
But Hearn gives a fight on the African continent little chance. The Matchroom boss favors a duel between Joshua and Wilder. “That’s a fight people would still like to see if Wilder comes back with a win. It looks like he’ll be fighting again in February.” The “Bronze Bomber” (43-4-1, 42 knockouts) has lost four of his last five fights (to Zhang, Parker and twice to Fury) but is still a name on the scene. Hearn also named Brit Dillian Whyte (31-3-0, 21 knockouts) as another possible opponent. Joshua had already knocked him out in 2015.
However, the promoter has not yet given up hope of a “Battle of Britain” between Fury and AJ . “We’ll see what happens with Tyson Fury in the meantime,” said Hearn. “I can’t imagine Mr. Fury just leaving this fight on the table.”
Text: Frank Schwantes