Sports

Three-man shortlist for Anthony Joshua’s next fight revealed following Daniel Dubois loss

Published

3 months ago

September 25, 2024

Anthony Joshua received accolades for his "unbelievable" gesture for the grieving family

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Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua‘s promoter, has stated that the fighter has a three-man shortlist for his next bout following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.

Joshua was attempting to become a three-time heavyweight champion last Saturday but suffered a heartbreaking knockout loss to Dubois in front of 96,000 at Wembley Stadium.

The fourth loss of Joshua’s professional career was his most complete at that point and sparked retirement rumors.

The 34-year-old quickly put an end to any speculations that he was quitting the sport, and in the days that followed, he reaffirmed his intention to go back into the ring.

And Hearn has now outlined who Joshua could fight upon his comeback, signalling that the Brit is keen to go right back in there against the best in the division and is considering a rematch with Dubois or long-awaited fights with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

‘If Fury was to lose maybe they [AJ and Fury] both say “Right, let’s give the public one last hurrah, two big fights, done,”‘ he told iFL TV.

‘Or, if Fury wins, he could defend against AJ for the unified world heavyweight title and AJ could beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion. Anything’s possible.’

Hearn continued: ‘We could rematch Daniel Dubois or [he] could fight someone else. Deontay Wilder. I dunno, it’s not something that’s been discussed yet but two guys coming off defeats, big punchers, someone’s got to go from the sport.

‘But for me, the options are rematch Daniel Dubois or wait and see what happens in Fury against Usyk.’

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren meanwhile has confirmed Dubois is not contracted to take a rematch against Joshua next. The Queensberry Promotions boss would still welcome a second scrap but admitted other options will also be considered.

‘They can have it if they want it anyway,’ Warren told talkSPORT. ‘I don’t have a problem with that.

‘There’s loads of options. We’re blessed in the UK. I think we’ve got the best heavyweights in the UK.

‘We’ve got Tyson [Fury]. We’ve got Daniel here now doing what he’s doing. We’ve got young Moses [Itauma] coming through and all these other guys. There are some brilliant fights to be made, some great domestic bouts to be made.’