Eddie Hearn, promoter for former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, explains that his fighter is now very motivated to involve himself in major fights in 2024.
Joshua saw action three times last year.
In April, he secured a twelve round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin. Then in August, he knocked out late-replacement Robert Helenius. The third appearance of the year took place last month in Saudi Arabia, where Joshua took down Otto Wallin in five rounds.
“Obviously, AJ’s a hot commodity right now, you’ve got Fury and Usyk already locked in, but we’re planning our next move and those conversations have been evolving since that night as we plan a busy 2024,” Hearn told IFL TV.
On February 17th in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will collide in a high-stakes undisputed clash for the WBC, IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world titles.
Joshua, who suffered two decision losses to Usyk, would love to get his hands on the winner.
The British star is being positioned to return to the ring on a date in March, back in Saudi Arabia. Three names have been mentioned by Hearn – Filip Hrgovic, Zhilei Zhang and Francis Ngannou.
Other names, like Andy Ruiz and Joseph Parker, are throwing their names in the mix to get a crack at Joshua.
“With all due respect, we do have a plan,” Hearn said. “These are all great heavyweights. Andy Ruiz, Frank Sanchez, Joseph Parker, but really 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. He looked amazing last week, but five fights is another year and a half, maybe two years, so how much longer are you going to go? Right now, we’re really excited for that 2024.”
–boxingscene.com
