Anthony Joshua Targeted To Fight Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder Or Otto Wallin

Anthony Joshua still has plans to return to the boxing ring.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, announced that the former unified heavyweight champion is targeting a bout in either January or February of next year. And as for opponents, it might not be who most boxing fans are hoping for.

“In terms of names, look, talking to him [Joshua] the other day, he wants to fight Dillian Whyte, really. Dillian Whyte fights November 26 against [Jermaine] Franklin, who’s talking a tremendous game,” Hearn told DAZN Boxing.

“We’ll see how that plays out, but I think Dillian Whyte is probably the front runner if he comes through. Otto Wallin has reached out numerous times. I think that’s a good fight for him as well.”

“And then, of course, there’s the Wilder situation. Not saying that’s going to be the fight for January or February, but it’s definitely a fight that he’s looking at.”

Joshua is 2-3 in his last five fights.

His stocks seemed to be questioned after he lost in a shocking manner to Andy Ruiz Jr by seventh-round TKO in 2019. Ruiz had captured the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles with the victory.

In an immediate rematch in December, however, Joshua reclaimed the belts by unanimous decision.

After that, Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round.

Then it was in September 2021 where Joshua was outboxed by unknown Oleksandr Usyk. He lost to the former cruiserweight champion by unanimous decision.

In their immediate rematch in this past August, Joshua once again fell short and suffered a split decision loss to Usyk.

Joshua was previously linked with a fight against reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, but those plans fell through.

Joshua said after the second loss to Usyk that he still does not plan on retiring.

“I think the feeling of AJ is, and by the way none of them are easy fights, but the value of a tune up, if you like, sometimes they’re all as dangerous as each other, do you know what I mean?” Hearn added.

“So, I don’t think he wants to start dropping out of the top 15 and top 10 of the governing bodies and just looking for an easy touch, I think he wants a real fight.”