Anthony Joshua comeback season is almost upon us again, with all eyes trained on who the British boxing superstar will face in his next fight.
It’s now eight months since we last saw the two-time world heavyweight champion in action in the ring, as he failed in his bid to take the IBF belt from fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
That shocking fifth-round knockout loss was the fourth of AJ’s storied career, and it left him very much at the crossroads – without a title and a clear road back to one at the age of 35.
READ MORE: Fury vs Joshua latest as Eddie Hearn reveals ‘great news’ for British fans
The competitive desire for the Watford man (now 28-4) still burns deep though and he will return later this year after recovering from surgery for an elbow injury earlier this month.
Hearn on Joshua return
Promoter Eddie Hearn says Joshua’s return to the ring is likely to take place between October and December, with a number of possible opponents mooted. He also revealed that a new deal has been discussed with Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season.
Speaking to Kugan Cassius of iFL TV, Hearn revealed: “When we’re at the Canelo Alvarez fight [vs William Scull in early May] we have meetings with His Excellency. Talked about a two-fight deal. That first fight will take place, you know, anywhere between October and December.
“I saw the names Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson mentioned. They were two names that were discussed in probably five or six names. And that’s if it’s not a bigger fight. So, if it’s not Tyson Fury or it’s not Daniel Dubois or whatever, then obviously we’re gonna need an opponent. He’s had the operation now, everything went well. And he’s gonna just rest up and get back into camp.”
READ MORE: Three potential opponents for Anthony Joshua next fight
While a rematch with Whyte (their 2015 all-British showdown was a cracker, won by AJ on a seventh-round stoppage) or a showdown with American prospect Anderson would drum up plenty of interest, Fury or Dubois would be marquee matchups.
Dubois (22-2) of course is otherwise engaged right now, preparing for that unification blockbuster vs Oleksandr Usyk at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday July 19. Fury meanwhile is currently happily retired.
Will Tyson Fury fight again?
Hearn though still believes ‘The Gypsy King’ will come back to fight again, with the lure of that massive AJ blockbuster too strong to ignore.
“I think it’s like, I don’t know, it’s like every time someone puts something – like AJ puts something out – didn’t he, saying, ‘One day I’ll be stood across the ring from this man,’ blah blah blah, and then Fury comes out and says, ‘Just wanna let everyone know I am officially retired’.
“It’s like, I don’t know. I mean, I was quite enjoying Fury’s posts over the weekend. Oh, you know, I thought it was good, good value, and he’s having a good time. Listen, good luck to him. Whatever, whatever makes you happy. So, if that is a return to the ring, we’ll be waiting and we’ll be ready. If it’s not, there’s nothing we can do. I wish him all the best.
“So, I feel like Fury loves boxing, I feel like he’s a competitor, and I feel like he knows he’s still got a lot left in the tank. It’s not like he’s declining.”
