As an official announcement looms for what is presumed to be a card headlined by Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, rumours have been circulating around boxing as to who will make up the undercard, following a string of previous blockbuster events staged by Turki Al-Alshikh.
Dubois upset the odds to defeat Filip Hrgovic earlier this month, assuming position as IBF interim champion and lining himself up for a shot at the full vacant IBF title, which is expected to be on the line against his countryman.
This clash will present Joshua will the opportunity to become boxing’s fifth three-time heavyweight champion as he returns to fight at the national stadium for the first time since 2018.
However, before that tantalising encounter, a plethora of eye-catching British talent is expected to be on display, including the hotly-anticipated rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke with the Lonsdale Belt at stake, and a crossroads contest between middleweight contenders Chris Eubank Jr and Hamzah Sheeraz.
Although, in an interview with iFL TV, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to shut down any whispers that undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue would be making an appearance – for what would be his second outing in the United Kingdom.
“Firstly, it is a Riyadh Season show, so I will let His Excellency announce all of the fights. Some of the fights that you mentioned there [Inoue, Wardley-Clarke II, Eubank-Sheeraz] have been discussed, some of them aren’t happening. I don’t think that he will mind me saying that Inoue is not fighting at Wembley but the plan would definitely to see him in a Riyadh Season event somewhere.
“The other fights will be announced at the press conference on the 26th of June. The card will be spectacular, like you have never seen before, and we also have to finalise AJ’s fight as well.
“I know that a lot of people are talking about the Daniel Dubois, obviously we have to see what sits with the IBF and lots of other things as well but obviously it is our intention that AJ headlines that card at Wembley Stadium.
“If we can get it for the IBF world title and if it can be against Dubois in an all-British clash then it would be absolutely huge.”
As Hearn alluded to, Inoue is expected to appear on and likely headline another Turki Al-Alshikh card in the near future and has recently been linked to a title defence against TJ Doheny, after Australia’s Sam Goodman and his team decided they needed more time to prepare before taking on ‘The Monster’.
In terms of the Wembley bill, the other battle being touted is an WBO interim title showdown in the light-heavyweight division between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson, following the sanctioning body’s decision to order the fight due to delays caused by Anthony Yarde – who has subsequently lost his place in the proposed bout.
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