Joshua’s Aim Is For Big Fights Against Fury Or Usyk – Says Eddie Hearn
Eddie Hearn has outlined Anthony Joshua’s desire to face Tyson Fury and rematch Oleksandr Usyk in a trilogy.
Joshua’s stock has risen following his last performance, where he stopped Otto Wallin after five rounds. The manner of the victory was praised as Joshua stepped in with the jab and backed it up with his right hand. The Brit fought on the front foot and stopped Wallin, who only had one loss to Fury coming into the fight.
A fight with Joshua and Deontay Wilder is off the table following his loss to Joseph Parker. A two-fight deal had been signed, with the first bout expected on March 9, 2024. Since the defeat, Joshua’s focus has switched to Filip Hrgovic who is the IBF mandatory. They will likely fight for the IBF title as the winner of Fury-Usyk will be stripped unless they face Hrgovic. But given they have a rematch clause, that will likely take place.
Joshua’s Goals
If Joshua were to acquire a world title, fights against Fury and Usyk could play out. Fury made the Brit two 60-40 offers for the fight. Both of them failed to result in a fight. A combination of tight deadlines and other fights meant Joshua did not sign on the dotted line.
As for Usyk, Joshua’s consecutive losses were made worse after his reaction. He stormed out of the ring and threw the belts on the ground after the loss in Saudi. He also took the microphone and upstaged Usyk on the biggest night of his career. But looking ahead, Joshua is ready to come back with a bang.
“The only thing that AJ wants to do is be in massive fights, win the world heavyweight title, and fight Tyson Fury or get another crack at Usyk. That’s what [Joshua trainer] Ben [Davison] wants, Ben wants another crack at Usyk.
“For me, obviously, I’d love the Fury fight. When you look at fighting March, fighting in September, maybe two fights against the Fury-Usyk winner, you’re talking four or five fights down the line, that may be it,” Hearn said
AJ Vs. Fury/Usyk
Getting a fight with Fury is unlikely. After the two failed offers, the Gypsy King distanced himself from the fight. At 35, the Gypsy King showed signs of slowing down against Francis Ngannou. Should he come out victorious against Usyk, the boxer would have nothing else to prove in the sport. That could result in a retirement, something his wife, Paris Fury, has wanted.
Meanwhile, facing Usyk again would be a tall order. The Ukrainian outboxed Joshua on two occasions. At 36, would the Ukrainian want to face the younger Joshua, especially if he becomes undisputed in a second weight class? If the winner of Fury-Usyk retires and the belts become vacated, there is no doubt Joshua will be a leading name to fight for them. That is the most likely scenario, given where those fighters are in their careers.
‘Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com’
