Anthony Joshua next fight: All we know about AJ's next opponent amid Deontay Wilder rumours

13/10/2023 12:46

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.

Wilder remains the top target, but there are other options.

And 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 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?”

On the total opposite end of the scale, Joshua has revealed he could fight on a KSI Misfits card.

The giant Brit is good friends with the YouTuber and is a fan of influencer boxing.

Speaking ahead of the KSI vs Tommy Fury fight this weekend, Joshua said: "Yeah, look at the card there is now. Imagine if you throw a few more names on the fight industry on the card.

"It just grows the sport and could definitely happen. Ten out of ten. I'm telling you, it's good for boxing.

"You could fight someone that is well-known, credible, who can fight, marketable, without a championship and have that same effect early on in your career and still have all the rewards.

"They are showing that there is so much potential in boxing regardless of championships."

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?

For Joshua, there is only one man he wants to fight.

Speaking to Sky Sports in August, he said: In reality, I’m going to focus on the Wilder fight.

“The goal is to have Usyk and Fury compete for the undisputed heavyweight championship, myself and Deontay Wilder, two big punchers, great fighters, been to the top of the mountain, slug it out and may the best man win.

“It’ll be a great event potentially. Wait to see what happens, and then finalise the devil in the detail.”

Should he fight Wilder, Joshua believes it would be an excellent contest.

He added: “My approach to boxing is IQ and intelligence.

“At the end of the day, it’s a fight and if it goes down that route, if someone’s good enough to bring that [devil] out of you, you’ve got to know that you’re man enough to stand up and fight for your territory.

“I’m saying I’m better than that and I should be able to beat any opponent, just by using one hand – I’m that good. That’s my mindset.

“Whoever’s good enough to bring that side out of me and take me to the trenches, let’s go. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for an opponent that’s good enough to take me to the trenches.”