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Anthony Joshua may have suffered a setback in his last fight, but his promoter, Eddie Hearn, is confident that the former heavyweight champion is still on track for another blockbuster showdown. Following Joshua's knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, speculation has been rife about his next move. However, Hearn has made it clear: Joshua's next opponent will either be Dubois in a rematch or current heavyweight king, Tyson Fury.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Hearn emphasized that despite the recent loss, Joshua is still a major draw in the boxing world. "It's strange to say after a knockout defeat, but AJ is in a really strong position," Hearn stated. "We're not looking at tune-up fights or lesser opponents. It's either going to be Dubois or Fury next. That's our focus no warm-ups, no distractions."
According to Hearn, Joshua is eager for redemption, especially in a potential rematch against Dubois. However, the possibility of facing Fury is also very much alive, depending on the timing and results of Fury's bout with Oleksandr Usyk in December. "AJ desperately wants to settle the score with Dubois, but the timing is crucial. For that fight to happen, we'd need to start training camp soon for a February showdown," Hearn explained. "But if Fury wins in December, the biggest fight in boxing could be on the table for May."
The heavyweight division's unpredictable future
The heavyweight landscape remains uncertain, especially with Fury set to face Usyk in a highly anticipated rematch. Should Fury win, there's a possibility of a third fight between them, as a contract for a trilogy bout reportedly exists. On the other hand, if Fury loses and decides to retire, it could leave Joshua without the blockbuster fight Hearn envisions.
There's a lot to consider, and it's about finding the right timing," Hearn itted. "If we book the rematch with Dubois for February, and Fury ends up available for a mega-fight in May, we might miss that opportunity. But we're not afraid to take the risk.
There's also the chance that Dubois might face another top contender if the Joshua rematch doesn't materialize, as Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, has indicated that Dubois will definitely fight in February, with or without Joshua.
Will Joshua play it safe or go all in?
Fans are eagerly awaiting news on Joshua's next move. If he decides to go ahead with a risky rematch against Dubois, it could be a chance for redemption or another setback. However, Hearn is optimistic that regardless of the outcome, Joshua remains a valuable name in the sport and will continue to draw interest. "Win or lose, AJ has proven time and again that he belongs at the top of the heavyweight division," Hearn said. "There's still plenty of fight left in him, and we're confident the next opponent will be a big one."
For now, the boxing world will have to wait and see how the heavyweight puzzle pieces fall. With multiple moving parts and some high-stakes fights on the horizon, Anthony Joshua's next bout could be one of the biggest stories of the year.