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Anthony Joshua next fight: All we know about AJ’s next opponent after Francis Ngannou win as Tyson Fury bout looms

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Anthony Joshua is back to his best and is now eyeing a huge bout after beating Francis Ngannou in March.

AJ brutally knocked out the UFC legend in the second round of their fight in Saudi Arabia, making it four wins from four since successive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

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That win has put him in prime position to challenge for world titles once again and a blockbuster meeting with Tyson Fury is on the cards.

So what is the latest on Joshua’s next opponent? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

Anthony Joshua next fight
Joshua’s next fight is still in the works.

An incredible bout with Fury has been spoken about for a long time and fans will be hoping the all-Brit heavyweight clash happens soon.

AJ has recently hinted at a potential date for their meeting if the Gypsy King comes out on top of his undisputed showdown with Usyk.

Fury and Usyk have a rematch clause in their contract, however, a step-aside fee from Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh could see the Joshua fight happen instead.

And Alalshikh has previously revealed that AJ vs Fury is one of the fights he wants to see the most.

During an ‘Ask Me Anything Q&A’ on Reddit, he revealed the top three fights he hopes to make in the future are Fury vs Joshua, Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez vs Artur Beterbiev.

Anthony-Joshua-Tyson-Fury.webp

Away from Fury, there have also been other names thrown into the hat as Joshua’s next opponent.

Filip Hrgovic is set to take on Daniel Dubois on June 1 for the vacant IFB heavyweight title.

And he believes that the winner of that fight will take on AJ in September at Wembley Stadium.

Hrgovic said: “It should be me against Dubois for the vacant IBF belt. Then the winner should fight Joshua, but you never know in boxing.

“Joshua is the dream fight and I hope I will beat Dubois and then fight him in Wembley in September. That would be perfect.”

Deontay Wilder has also been tipped for a bout against Joshua later this year after teaming up with Eddie Hearn.

He is not expected to turn down the chance to fight AJ should the opportunity arrive.

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AJ next fight: What’s been said?
Hinting at the possibility of him and Fury finally getting it on soon, Joshua told the BBC: “Boxing is changing a lot, there is a new player, Turki Alalshikh, who is taking the world by storm.

“He is doing what he wants for the fans, it’s amazing. So if the fans demand it, I know that he will deliver.

“I know the fans want me and Fury, I want that. I’m not going to give away plans, but he is a man of action.

“It’s coming, most definitely it’s coming.”

Pressed further on whether a fight with Fury would be next for him, Joshua added: “To be honest, he [Alalshikh] said be ready for September.

“Why he said that is because they have got a fight on June 1, all the heavyweights, five vs five, Eddie Hearn vs Frank Warren.

“And they have got Fury vs Usyk in May. And then they will have me in September. It’s unbelievable.”

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BOXING

Eddie Hearn slams Francis Ngannou over Joshua ;filthy’ defeat excuse

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Eddie Hearn has slammed Francis Ngannou for appearing to suggest that his demolishing defeat by Anthony Joshua was down to his early arrival at the arena.

Eddie Hearn bolsters his Matchroom stable by signing the brother of outstanding amateur | DAZN News GB

Joshua knocked down the former UFC heavyweight champion three times in two rounds to secure a dominant victory in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, in a recent interview on the MMA Hour, said that he arrived at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, two hours earlier than Joshua, appearing to suggest that this was a ‘trick’ to tire him out.

Joshua’s promoter Hearn has taken exception with the comments, suggesting the 37-year-old ‘should know better’.

He told Boxing Social, ‘I was baffled. It is a bit disappointing really.

Anthony Joshua defeats Ngannou with second-round knockout - Vanguard News

“He said they got him to the arena (early), who is they? You get given times by the broadcaster.

“He said that he was made to come to the arena early to tire him out for the fight, which is really an inexperienced boxing guy talking here, he should know better.

“You get your time, which is the ideal time that the organizer or the broadcaster would like you there, you make your own mind up.

“Some fighters like to get there three hours before, some like to get there an hour before, it all depends on the fighter.

Anthony Joshua: I Said Three Fights This Year, Next Year I Might Go For Four - Boxing News

“If AJ is told for example that “we want you there at 10 ‘o’clock” and we know that the fight is happening at 1am, then we would come a little bit later, because he doesn’t want to be hanging around that long.’

Hearn also reacted to a social media post which contained Ngannou’s comments, stating: “I’m not sure he has come round yet.”

Ngannou after the fight confessed that he couldn’t remember being knocked out by Joshua and that from going back to his stool in between the first and second rounds, he ‘wasn’t there anymore’.

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BOXING

Gervonta Davis makes a shocking move amid Conor Benn’s fight

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Promoter Eddie Hearn says Gervonta Davis rejected an offer of over $10 million that could been as high as $25 million from the PPV and gate money for a fight against welterweight Conor Benn.

Hearn didn’t say he could have gotten as much as $25 million for the fight if he had told Tank Davis. If Tank wanted that amount guaranteed, that would be a problem because the fight may not have done well enough on the U.S. side for Hearn to break even.

American boxing fans probably wouldn’t be interested in paying to watch Tank fight Benn, seeing that he’s not well known in the States, and the fans who do know of him recognize that he’s a limited fighter with an inflated record.

What also may have factored in Tank Davis’ decision not to agree to the offer was the reports of Benn rehydrating to 171 lbs for his last fight against Peter Dobson on February 3rd. If Tank took the fight, he’d likely be outweighed by 20+ lbs.

Benn isn’t a great fighter, but Tank still wouldn’t want to face a guy weighing over 20 lbs more than on fight night.

Misunderstanding the Offer?

“We made him an offer, which he felt he didn’t want to discuss further,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to iFL TV about an offer he made to lightweight Gervonta Davis to fight welterweight contender Conor Benn.

“It was over the $10 [million guaranteed], but it also had PPV bonuses beyond that, gate bonuses beyond that. So it could’ve been $20 million, could’ve been $25 million. But he didn’t really want to discuss it,” Hearn continued about Gervonta Davis.

“I made him an offer that I felt was an offer that was quite powerful for the fight and could also lead to a lot more than that beyond the basic but, you know…I think he probably don’t really understand the dynamic of the deal, the numbers. I might go back,” said Hearn.

If Tank Davis didn’t understand the amount that he could make from the fight, it’s not too late for Hearn to speak to him to let him know he could make a massive amount of money.

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BOXING

Eddie Hearn says Deontay Wilder vs Anthony Joshua fight is off and it would be a ‘mismatch’

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A highly anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder does not seem like it will be happening anytime soon.

The two men both fought in December, with Joshua taking on Otto Wallin while Wilder clashed with Joseph Parker, with the expectation that the pair would fight each other next.

Wilder vs Joshua was a fight that everyone wanted to see, but now it may never happen
Wilder vs Joshua was a fight that everyone wanted to see, but now it may never happen

Joshua put together an excellent performance, as he out-boxed Wallin over five rounds and then stopped him to record his third victory of the year.

Wilder, however, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Parker who fought with tremendous discipline to win by unanimous decision.

As such, it looks as if the Wilder vs Joshua fight will not be happening next.

 

And promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed this, as he told IFL TV: “The fight’s dead for now…

“The people who wanted to put the fight on no longer see that as the fight that it was.

“The numbers don’t work now because Wilder’s a busted flush at the moment.

“It’s a mismatch in my opinion.”

Anthony Joshua has three-man shortlist for next fight but fans say 'only one makes boxing sense' | The Sun

As for who Joshua will fight next, Hearn named Zhilei Zhang, Filip Hrgovic and Francis Ngannou as potential options.

And should the Brit win his next contest, he could be in line to take on the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk that will take place on February 17 for the undisputed heavyweight world titles.

In terms of Wilder, there was some speculation that he might retire following his most recent defeat, but ‘The Bronze Bomber’ insists that we will see him back in the ring again.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua next fight: All we know about AJ’s next opponent amid Deontay Wilder’s failure, Filip Hrgovic and potential Tyson Fury clash

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Anthony Joshua is starting to look back to his best and is eyeing some big fights in 2024 after dispatching Otto Wallin.

AJ turned in a top display to stop the Swede in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas to make it three wins from three since back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua was in fine form against Wallin
Joshua was in fine form against Wallin

The plan was for Joshua to face Deontay Wilder should he beat Joseph Parker, but the American lost via unanimous decision to leave those plans in tatters.

Anthony Joshua next fight: Is his next opponent confirmed?
No, Joshua’s next bout is yet to be confirmed.

The plan was for Joshua and Wilder to win their respective fights to set up a huge event in March 2024 between the two former world champions.

The deal between the two camps was all but agreed, but after Wilder’s defeat, those plans are ruined.

Instead, a date with Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic looks to be AJ’s next bout.

Hrgovic is the IBF’s current number one, and a mandatory challenge for that belt is long overdue.

Of course, Tyson Fury is fighting Usyk for that title in early 2024.

However, the duo have signed a two-fight deal, meaning the IBF belt will become vacant before their rematch, so Joshua would face Hrgovic for that title.

Hrgovic will probably be AJ's next opponent
Hrgovic will probably be AJ’s next opponent

Meanwhile, Frank Warren suggested that Joshua should face Daniel Dubois.

The Brit recovered from his controversial defeat to Usyk to stop Jarrell Miller on the same card as Joshua’s fight against Wallin.

So that’s an option for AJ as well.

However, a potentially more glamorous bout than either of those two would be a clash against the winner of Fury vs Usyk.

Joshua has yet to face Fury in his career despite several rounds of talks over the years, but for whatever reason, it’s never happened.

It’s a fight that would capture the general public and could see the debate about who is better finally settled.

Fury and Joshua would be a massive fight
Fury and Joshua would be a massive fight

And if Usyk wins, you would think this new-look Joshua would love a crack at some revenge.

He’s faced the Ukrainian twice and comfortably lost both times, so he would want to right that wrong.

Therefore, there are plenty of options open to Joshua.

Anthony Joshua fight: When will it happen?
Joshua would have faced Wilder in Saudi Arabia on March 9, 2024, if all had gone to plan.

Of course, Wilder lost, so that looks to be off.

Any title fight with Hrgovic would have to wait until after Fury and Usyk’s clash on February 17, 2024.

That would also be the same if he were to fight the winner of that superstar fight.

Therefore, unless Joshua takes on Dubois, we could be waiting until mid-2024 to see AJ back in action.

Joshua is ready to take on anyone
Joshua is ready to take on anyone

Anthony Joshua next fight: What’s been said?
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed after the Day of Reckoning in Saudi Arabia that a date with Hrgovic was most likely to be AJ’s next bout.

He said: “It was a tough decision between the championship and Wilder.

“We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight.

“But maybe it’s a blessing because he wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

“Now it’s gonna be AJ vs Hrgovic for the world title.”

Hearn wants to see Fury and Joshua finally clash, although thinks Hrgovic is more likely
Hearn wants to see Fury and Joshua finally clash, although thinks Hrgovic is more likely

However, Hearn also revealed he wants to see AJ face Fury.

He said: “I’ll be honest, I’d love to see him fight Fury.

“If Tyson Fury can beat Oleksandr Usyk, then I’d love to see him fight Tyson Fury. I’d love that fight.

“I hope that Tyson can be triumphant in that fight, but we’ll go away now – obviously coming into tonight, we had our plans for March, but now we reassess.”

Meanwhile, Warren is really pushing Dubois.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “For me, [Dubois] could fight any of those guys in the top ten. Even AJ would be a good fight. I’d watch that all day long.”

But AJ wants Fury.

Speaking immediately after dispatching Wallin, he was asked about his next opponent and said: “100 per cent Tyson Fury, but I’m not dodging Hrgovic, by the way.

“I’ll fight Hrgovic as well.”

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Anthony Joshua Vs. Otto Wallin Has Rematch Clause Reveals Eddie Hearn

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Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin fight has a rematch clause for their headliner on December 23rd at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s a bit surprising that Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) would have a rematch clause for this level of opponent, considering that the 33-year-old heavyweight fringe contender Wallin (26-1, 14 KOs) can’t punch and is considered by many fans as a step down from AJ’s last two tune-up opponents Robert Helenius & Jermaine Franklin.

Why does AJ need rematch clauses?
Hearn’s excuse for AJ having a rematch clause for the Wallin fight is that he’s “the biggest star” in boxing, which many fans would disagree with. Even if that were true, why a rematch clause for this level of opponent? It doesn’t make sense.

Even if Joshua were to lose, Wallin wouldn’t be going anywhere. What other options would he have? Tyson Fury already beat him, and Deontay Wilder wouldn’t waste his time fighting him because U.S. fans wouldn’t want to see him against Wallin. Unfortunately, rematch clauses are a fact of life for Joshua and part of the standard thing for him, which is sad because he should be confident enough to fight without them. He fought the tub of lard Andy Ruiz twice and Oleksandr Usyk twice.

The boxing public could live without AJ’s rematches against guys who shouldn’t have ever beaten him in the first place if he were the real deal. The fact that Joshua is losing to fighters like Usyk & Ruiz shows that he’s not a great talent and never was from the get-go. He’s just some guy that the Brits thought was great after he was gifted a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics after winning four consecutive questionable decisions against these fighters:

Roberto Cammerell
Erislandy Savon
Ivan Dychko
Zhilei Zhang

Anthony Joshua on his biggest fear and future ambitions | CNN

JOSHUA VS. WALLIN HAS REMATCH CLAUSE
“It’s a one-fight deal, but there are ongoing discussions. You see a lot of people saying, ‘Why isn’t AJ fighting [Deontay] Wilder on December 23rd?’ We got approached for a fight which was Otto Wallin. It was six weeks until the fight. He accepted the fight,” said Eddie Hearn to Secondsout, discussing Anthony Joshua. Hearn doesn’t say who approached him for Joshua to fight Wallin instead of Wilder. If the Saudis wanted this fight, Hearn should have asked them why they would have this awful match-up. Also, it’s risky for Joshua because even this type of opponent could potentially beat him.

If Joshua is losing to guys like Usyk & Ruiz, he could get beaten by Wallin as well, and if that happens, it’s pretty much career over outside of the UK. Yeah, we know the British fans are forgiving of their fighters and will continue to purchase their fights on PPV regardless of how many times they get beaten. For example, look at 39-year-old journeyman Dereck Chisora. He’s got thirteen losses, yet he’s still headlining on PPV in the UK. It’s unbelievable but so sad.

Anthony Joshua: 'I need to be a billionaire' | British GQ | British GQ

“Also, from there, we all know what the plan is. We all know what they want,” said Hearn. “We all know what we want, which is, of course, the fight with Deontay Wilder. They’ve both got to win, and we’ll work quietly behind the scenes whilst everyone is preparing. “Hopefully, by the time they [Joshua & Wilder] are both victorious on December 23rd, we’ll know what the plan is. Yes,” said Hearn when asked if there’s a rematch clause for the Joshua vs. Wallin fight. “Because it’s Anthony Joshua, the biggest star in the sport,” said Hearn when asked why a rematch clause was needed for Joshua-Wallin.

Joshua is the biggest star in the UK, but not the world. He’s down below fighters like Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and David Benavidez in the U.S.

HEARN WANTS JOSHUA TO SHOW WALLIN NO RESPECT
“I just think he wanted to smash Jarrell Miller’s head in, and if I was a little more tougher, 80 lbs heavier, and I could fight, maybe I would as well because he says a lot, and we know what happened last time,” said Hearn. “You can’t really win if you’re AJ because on the one hand, he’s a bit quiet and a bit boring. Then someone says something disrespectful to him, and he comes back and fires back, and, ‘Oh, his head’s gone. He’s lost the plot.’ So, I like what I saw,” said Hearn. Joshua did a lot of thinking when he was holed up in that darkened room for four days, and he clearly decided to be tougher towards people during his interactions when the cameras are rolling in public.

Anthony Joshua seals unanimous points win against American opponent Jermaine Franklin in London - Eurosport

“I saw a guy that’s actually ready to damage, and that’s what I need from him in this Otto Wallin fight. I need him to show very little respect to Otto Wallin in this fight. It’s a very, very tricky fight,” said Hearn. Joshua has got to let his hands go in this fight because Wallin will move around all night and pick him apart with his pesky jab to soften him up. If AJ gasses out in the second half of the fight, Wallin might even knock him out. “Look at Tyson Fury on how he behaves. No one really starts questioning his mindset. AJ says, ‘Shut up or I’ll knock you the f*** out,’ and everyone says, ‘Whoa, AJ has lost the plot.’ He’s a fighter. You’re already going to get overanalyzed in that situation. He’s ready to go and looking good in the gym,” said Hearn. “Agitated” isn’t the right word to describe how Joshua looked & behaved during the kickoff press conference for the December 23rd card. A better word to describe him would be one of these terms:

Unhinged
Disturbed
Crazed
Unbalanced
Touched

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