Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has recently floated a fight that could potentially see his man pick up a vacant world title.
The goal of being a three-time champion is a clear one for ‘AJ’, who lost the WBA, WBO and IBF belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021. After failing to win them in a rematch one year on, he is left searching for a route back to the top.
That path may be provided next year when Usyk puts his three belts on the line against Tyson Fury’s WBC to crown an undisputed champion.
The bout reportedly has a rematch clause, meaning the IBF’s ruling that the winner must face its mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic, could see them stripped of that particular title.
If so, Hrgovic – co-promoted by Hearn – would fight for the vacant belt against the next available contender. That was previously Anthony Joshua, and the promoter told Boxing Social that the fight was a serious consideration.
However, Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin – who previously took Fury the distance in a unanimous decision loss – has since been granted the number two spot with a win over Murat Gassiev.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Wallin said that he didn’t pay attention to Hearn’s plans in the build-up, and now that he was behind Hrgovic he fully intended on fighting for the world title if the opportunity presents itself.
“Yeah, I didn’t pay much attention to it … I was just focusing on the fight, and now it’s nice that I’m the number two … I’m number two, so if the title becomes available then I get to fight for it against Hrgovic.”
“I really hope they get that fight on with Usyk and Fury – I think it’s good for boxing and it might be good for me too.”
The movements rely on ifs and buts in the heavyweight division, but it appears now that Joshua’s route back to world title glory for the third time in his career is a little more complicated than first thought.