Eddie Hearn has denied reports that Anthony Joshua’s next fight has been agreed with either Deontay Wilder or Martin Bakole.
Joshua is expected to make his return to the ring in the summer. He is coming off the fourth defeat of his career after Daniel Dubois knocked him out in the fifth round. Joshua hit the canvas three times on his way to the stoppage defeat. There were negotiations over a rematch, but talks broke down as Dubois chose to face Joseph Parker. Dubois will face Parker on February 22. Joshua has been linked with a fight against Wilder for some time.
Talks initially began in 2018 when the fight could have been for the Undisputed Heavyweight Title. Joshua held the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, whilst Wilder held the WBC title. Reports indicated that Wilder’s team made a $50 million offer. Once again, talks broke down as both fighters moved on. Joshua would lose his belts, eventually to Oleksandr Usyk. Meanwhile, Wilder lost his WBC belt to Tyson Fury. Joshua and Wilder were meant to face off last year. They had signed a two fight deal.
JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford fight CANCELLED amid Jake Paul link
This was dependent on Joshua and Wilder winning their next fights. Joshua defeated Otto Wallin, but Wilder came up short against Parker. He then chose to face Francis Ngannou, and Wilder took on Zhilei Zhang. Joshua stopped in Ngannou, but Wilder lost to Zhang, reducing the demand to see that fight. But following Joshua’s defeat, a fight with Wilder could make sense.
Joshua’s Future
The other alternative is a fight with Bakole. Bakole is consistently on record, stating that he has hurt Joshua in sparring. He secured the biggest win of his career when he stopped the-then undefeated Jared Anderson in his last fight. Bakole is expected to fight in May in his next bout. There were reports that a deal with Joshua had been agreed for a fight in Africa. Hearn has now dispelled any rumors of a Wilder or Bakole fight, leaving questions over where Joshua goes next.
“The latest one that someone sent me on Saturday, saying, ‘Anthony Joshua vs. Martin Bakole is done, signed.’ We have not had one conversation about that fight. I’m not ruling it out, by the way, but it’s never even been a conversation. So, I don’t know where that came from. I saw one last night, ‘Wilder-Joshua is done for June 7th.’ [And] I’ve not had one conversation about that fight.
“[And] I spoke to AJ for the first time yesterday in a few weeks, and he’s actually in real good spirits. I think Martin Bakole is a very good fighter, but don’t get carried away that this is the new George Foreman. It’s always been the two – Tyson Fury – who is retired at the moment, we’ll see how long that lasts, and the winner of Dubois-Parker,” Hearn said of Joshua’s ideal next opponent,” Hearn said
