Anthony Joshua next fight: All we know about AJ's next opponent amid Deontay Wilder rumours on same night as Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk

10/25/2023 05:18 AM

Anthony Joshua is starting to climb back up the heavyweight rankings, and he’s eyeing his next opponent.

Since back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, the Brit has beaten Jermaine Franklin and knocked out Robert Helenius, and he wants a new challenge soon.

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Joshua was meant to face Dillian Whyte but his fellow Londoner failed a drugs test, while a long-awaited bout against Tyson Fury has collapsed numerous times.

But despite this, there are plenty of options out there for Joshua.

It just depends on what he and Eddie Hearn believe is the best contest for the former Olympic champion.

Anthony Joshua next fight: Is his next opponent confirmed?

No, Joshua’s next clash is yet to be confirmed.

The Brit last fought in August and knocked Helenius out in the seventh round, and talks are well underway to find a new opponent.

Deontay Wilder is the top candidate and negotiations have been going on with the American’s camp for some time.

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An agreement was reached but had to be shelved when Saudi Arabia revealed they couldn’t host it.

At one point, there was even talk about Fury vs Usyk and AJ vs Wilder happening on the same night.

Wilder, who previously failed to finalise a bout in 2018 and 2019, has now publicly pushed for the Joshua fight to get made in 2024.

Wilder said: “A fight that everybody is looking forward to and hopefully it happens – I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen – I’m referring to the Anthony Joshua fight.

“So Anthony, you’re hearing it from my mouth, here, personally, from the horse’s mouth himself.

“I’m here, I’m ready, I’m ready to go.

“I heard some things your promoter said that my last fight only lasted a short period of time and I ain’t fought in a year, so he don’t know if I wanna fight or not.

“But I’m letting you know right now, right here, I’m ready to fight.

“I’m ready to get in the ring man, let’s make this the best time of our lives.

“This would be a major disaster if we were never able to get in the ring and put our stamp down in history bro.

“When people think about classic great fights, I want them to think about us as well, being able to do that we’ve gotta get in the ring, that’s what it’s all about.

“The silliest thing I’ve heard is people saying you’re not ready.

“That’s the silliest thing because I don’t believe that, I believe you’re ready.

“I hope you’re ready, I think you’re ready, so let’s make this happen bro, me and you, making history happen.

“I’m looking forward to seeing your response bro, I’ll talk to you soon.”

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However, it’s possible that Joshua could end up facing Filip Hrgovic instead of Wilder because of Fury’s clash with Usyk.

The IBF have ruled that the winner of that bout must immediately face Hrgovic.

But reports suggest Fury and Usyk have a rematch clause in place, meaning a clash against the Croatian would be near-impossible.

The belt would become vacant and Hrgovic would fight the next top contender, which is currently Joshua.

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But he could be denied that chance, with the number two position in the IBF rankings currently vacant.

However, Otto Wallin beat Murat Gassiev in September for that spot, so it’s more likely to be Hrgovic vs Wallin.

So if Wilder and Hrgovic don’t happen, who else is out there?

Well, formidable Chinese fighter Zhilei Zhang is another option.

‘Big Bang’ beat Joe Joyce in back-to-back contests to move himself up the heavyweight rankings.

The duo have already fought as amateurs at the 2012 Olympics, and Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, has revealed that it’s a bout that would appeal to the Londoner.

He said: “AJ’s always fancied that fight, he beat him in the amateurs, it was a good fight.

“We want to make the Deontay Wilder fight, Zhang’s an easier fight, but still dangerous. Why not?”

Anthony Joshua fight: When will it happen?

Joshua was hoping to face Wilder in Saudi Arabia early next year.

The plan was for the bout to take place in January 2024.

However, it’s now unclear if this can happen because of a change in the way Saudi Arabia organises sporting events.

Skill Challenge Entertainment arranged Joshua’s fights against Andy Ruiz and the second Usyk clash.

But they no longer have responsibility, with the General Sports Authority now taking charge.

They have arranged Fury’s bout with Francis Ngannou but had no involvement in Joshua vs Wilder, meaning it fell through.

But Hearn revealed recently that the plan is for Joshua to fight in February or March 2024 in another location.

Speaking to iFL TV, he said: “We’d agreed, Wilder had agreed, now we’re talking to other sites about that fight in February or March and that’s still the plan, very much the plan.”

Anthony Joshua next fight: What’s been said?

Joshua claims his fight with Wilder is being targeted for a heavyweight mega-event featuring Fury’s clash with Usyk.

AJ said to Sky Sports: “If they get this undisputed fight on, which has been looming for a while, word on the street is that it’s supposed to be the undisputed fighters and then the undercard is supposed to be a big, lively one with me and Wilder.”

Fury has since back to iFL TV: “It’s quite embarrassing really when you’ve got a former heavyweight world champion begging for a fight.

“Begging to be on the undercard. Is he a child or what?

“He wants to go on my undercard? Him vs Wilder? The battle of the biggest loser? Come on.”