The chairman of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, provided an update regarding Anthony Joshua’s future. This British heavyweight is not going to retire. In fact, Joshua has two options available, according to a recent Hearn interview for Boxing Social.
Joshua is now trying to have his medical suspension lifted after suffering a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. He took a ton of damage during the fight, including multiple knockdowns, before a knockout finally put an end to his chances of victory.
Eddie Hearn (left) highlights Anthony Joshua’s (right) options moving forward.
According to Hearn, one of Joshua’s choices is to face Dubois again for the IBF heavyweight title, assuming the latter is in fighting fitness by the time Saudi sports minister Turki Alalshikh suggests.
“We’ve got a very simple decision to make. If Josh[ua] is physically ready for the date His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] is proposing, and I’ll let him talk further on that date when the time comes, we will rematch Daniel Dubois.”
Alternatively, a matchup with Tyson Fury is also being considered, given the amount of interest and history surrounding it. The fight could be contested even without the heavyweight title on the line if ‘The Gypsy King’ loses to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch.
“If not, you’re really waiting for Tyson Fury. And if Tyson Fury loses against [Oleksandr] Usyk, it’s still a big fight, but it’s not for the world heavyweight title.”
Check out Eddie Hearn’s thoughts below (4:40 and 5:27):
While a potential bout with Deontay Wilder could also be booked, Joshua’s next two fights seem to be set in stone depending on a few variables.
Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn are great friends.
With Anthony Joshua’s best interests always in mind, Eddie Hearn’s drive for a rematch in ‘AJ’s’ favor following his devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois should come as no surprise. For those who don’t know, Hearn has actually been promoting Joshua since 2013.
Hearn has been with Joshua through his highs and lows for more than ten years. Joshua lost some of his sparkle after his shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz and his consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, but Hearn’s marketing has kept “AJ” appealing to the general public.