Boxing fans wait patiently for more news on Anthony Joshua facing Tyson Fury this year, and developments seem to be coming every hour. However, there’s one man who must prepare for other options should the potential super fight fall through.
Eddie Hearn spoke to DAZN Boxing to map out potential fights for AJ should the fight with Fury fail to materialise – something many fans are still predicting despite positive details emerging.
“He wouldn’t want a soft touch. I think that’s going to work against him. It’s a top 15 guy, I mean you can pull them out the rankings yourself. Once I start mentioning names then the price goes up. The last thing that AJ wants is a gimme fight. There’s got to be an element of risk.”
“Dillian Whyte is not a fight for December, but it’s a fight for March and the summer, 100%. It’s a big stadium fight in the UK. You’ve got Filip Hrgović – just won, [although] I think it was a poor performance form him. Zhilei Zhang – looked good. Otto Wallin – had a very close fight with Tyson Fury.”
The three heavyweight names are perhaps what you would expect for a former champion coming off two losses. In fact, there would have likely been no grumblings from fans if one of these fights had been announced this week – but the Fury news changes that.
It’s hard to predict which fight is most likely, especially as the contract with Fury is still batted back and forth. However, with Hrgović now in line for a shot at Usyk’s IBF title, a fight with Joshua may not be the smartest move for him.
Wallin and Zhang, on the other hand, would likely jump at the chance of a shot at the fight with a former unified champion and, more importantly, the payday attached.
With Joshua recently signing an exclusive global deal with DAZN, reportedly worth more than £100 million, there’s no doubt that Matchroom and the broadcaster will want to see him active over the next year.
Whether that’s jumping straight back into a title shot with ‘The Gypsy King’ or a should-win scrap against a top 15 contender, only time will tell – but the options are all there for AJ to be fighting again before the year is out.