Eddie Hearn Reveals Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight Options – ‘Bakole In Africa’

Eddie Hearn has updated fans on who Anthony Joshua could fight next.
Joshua’s primary target was a fight against Tyson Fury. However, the Gypsy King recently confirmed that he was retiring from the sport. The news came after his two consecutive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk. The losses meant that Fury missed out on becoming the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion and a Unified Heavyweight Champion. Fury was adamant that he had won both fights, hitting out at the scorecards. There are reports that Fury may simply be retiring in order to gain more leverage in negotiations. He knows the biggest fight for him is the Joshua bout.
The fight has the potential to earn him more than the Usyk fights, given its ability to sell out in Saudi Arabia and the UK. Joshua, however, cannot hang around for Fury. He must continue with his career as he aims to bounce back from his last performance. Daniel Dubois knocked him out in the fifth round after being dropped numerous times. The defeat meant he missed out on becoming a three-time world champion as Dubois defended his IBF Heavyweight Title. The loss also meant that Joshua was not a step closer to becoming the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion.
This naturally raises question marks over who he faces next. Hearn outlined a series of opponents, some of which included Martin Bakole and Dillian Whyte. Hearn has previously stated that he expects Joshua to fight in May or June. AJ has also confirmed that he may retire from the sport within two years when he reaches 37. That sets a timeline of when fans can expect to see any potential Fury fight. But for now, the focus is elsewhere. It is vital he chooses the right opponent to get a win.
Hearn On Joshua
“He would be up for fighting Bakole. He’s up for fighting anyone. We have to look at the big fights. I don’t want him taking a tough fight for no commercial benefit. I wouldn’t be doing my job. He’s not focused as much on the money, but I am. I’d love Bakole in Africa. Dillian Whyte in London. Deontay in America. The winner of Kabayel against Zhang. I’m just telling you names now before anybody says they’re a possibility because I have no idea.
“Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Martin Bakole. For me, the ones that really get him up for it are Tyson Fury and the winner of Dubois against Parker. It doesn’t mean he won’t get up for the other fights. He’s going to fight this summer. That’s simple. When Bakole called him out the other day, I think that was quite good for AJ. He has been kind of down in the dumps. Every winner would be when they get beat, and I think that got his back-up a little bit. He’d be up for fighting Bakole. He’s always has done,” Hearn said
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