The future of Anthony Joshua has become a major topic for discussion in recent times. But one man holds the answers:
The highly eloquent Eddie Hearn is one of the biggest promoters in the boxing world.
Chairman of Matchroom Sports and son of Barry Hearn, Eddie has promoted fights including some of boxing’s biggest names including Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin and Katie Taylor.
But the biggest name in the stable of boxers for Eddie Hearn is undoubtedly Anthony Joshua.
News emerged yesterday that Anthony Joshua has been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) after his knockout by Daniel Dubois.
Despite that setback, it’s quite clear that Joshua will be stepping back into the ring once his suspension is over.
The question is, who will he be facing?
Boxing fans and commentators have been wondering what the next fight for AJ will be.
There are two clear favourites.
There’s the rematch with Daniel Dubois.
Or a fight with Tyson Fury if ‘The Gypsy King’ fails to beat Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch in December.
If there’s anyone who knows what the potential future for Anthony Joshua would be, it’s Eddie Hearn.
And Hearn has detailed what the primary focus for Joshua is.
“We’ve got a very simple decision to make. If Josh[ua] is physically ready for the date His Excellency [Turki Al-Sheikh] is proposing, and I’ll let him talk further on that date when the time comes, we will rematch Daniel Dubois. If he’s not ready, then we will wait for Tyson Fury against Oleksandry Usyk. The attraction for AJ is that he has a straight shot at the world heavyweight title again, right. Tough fight. You know, a lot of confidence from Dubois. We know AJ can do much better. We believe he can beat Daniel Dubois. A very dangerous fight. But it’s a shot at the world heavyweight title. And I’ve never known AJ to turn that opportunity down. And he won’t. But it will be up to us to speak to the doctors. Look at the scans on his hands and see if he’s ready for that date. Because, if not, you’re really waiting for Tyson Fury. And if Tyson Fury loses against Usyk, it’s still a big fight but it’s not for the world heavyweight title”.
So that seems to confirm that the priority number one for Anthony Joshua is a rematch with Daniel Dubois.
A potential clash with Tyson Fury looks more like the backup option.
That would mean that the fight that boxing fans have been waiting for years, Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury, is likely to be delayed again.
The only potential way that would happen is if Joshua doesn’t recover in time for the date that His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh plans for the Dubois rematch.
A tune-up fight would have been perfect, maybe fighting someone like Dillian Whyte, looking at the manner of defeat AJ suffered.
But the former unified champion is used to getting right back in the mix; he returned for immediate rematches against Andy Ruiz and also against Oleksandr Usyk.
Whatever happens, we're assured: AJ isn't retiring anytime soon.
By Samuel Opoku Amoah.
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