Anthony Joshua’s Next Opponent: Dubois or Wilder?“I don’t think he should have taken that rematch.

Daniel Dubois Still Leading Contender for Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight, Says Eddie Hearn

Daniel Dubois remains the top contender to face Anthony Joshua in his next bout, despite a shortlist of five potential opponents being considered for the British-Nigerian heavyweight. This update comes from Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Dubois Still the Frontrunner for Joshua’s Return

“Daniel Dubois still (is the frontrunner). In an ideal world, he will fight Fury, if not Dubois,” Hearn told reporters while discussing Joshua’s return to the ring.

The 35-year-old Joshua has been inactive since his November loss to Dubois, a defeat that put his quest to become a three-time world heavyweight champion on hold. Initially, he was expected to take on Tyson Fury in a highly anticipated matchup, but Fury’s sudden retirement announcement in January disrupted those plans.

Joshua’s Team Weighing Multiple Options

With Fury yet to make a definitive return to the sport, Joshua’s camp is considering other possibilities, including a rematch with Dubois. The 27-year-old was originally scheduled to fight Joseph Parker in February but withdrew due to illness.

“There is also Joseph Parker, who I think would be a great fight, there is Agit Kabayel and Deontay Wilder, obviously (Turki Alalshikh) has stated he would love to see that fight,” Hearn added.

Hearn also mentioned Martin Bakole as an option but admitted that Joshua would likely face criticism for choosing that matchup.

Joshua’s Decision to Skip Immediate Dubois Rematch

Joshua previously opted against an immediate rematch with Dubois, citing injuries and inadequate preparation time. This choice sparked mixed reactions within boxing circles.

Former British boxing star Amir Khan supported Joshua’s decision, saying it was the right call.

“I don’t think he should have taken that rematch. It’s the best choice he’s made,” Khan told Prime Casino.

Khan described Dubois as a challenging opponent for Joshua, noting, “You always have that one opponent who is always going to be the bogeyman, who is always going to beat the style that AJ has, and I think that is Dubois. He was punch perfect when I saw that fight.”

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However, Khan acknowledged that Joshua might need to face Dubois again down the line.

“I think he made the right choice by not taking it now, but in the future, it’s still a fight. And even if he never fights him again, he tried, it happened, we’re all prize fighters, and at this time, he can make money elsewhere with an easier opponent,” Khan added.

Other Possible Opponents in the Mix

Among the alternative opponents, Joseph Parker, 33, recently knocked out late replacement Bakole in the first round after Dubois withdrew. Meanwhile, Kabayel, 32, secured the WBC interim title with a win over Zhilei Zhang.

Former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, 39, remains a potential challenger despite consecutive losses to Parker and Zhang. The American is reportedly plotting a comeback, with rumors linking him to a fight against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

As Joshua’s return plans take shape, all eyes remain on whether Dubois will secure another shot or if another contender will step into the ring with the former champion.

British Boxing Legend Adviced Anthony Joshua To Retire Before Serious Health Damage Is Done

Carl Froch hasn’t had the best relationship with Anthony Joshua in recent years.

The former super middleweight world champion has often criticised the British heavyweight publicly and shared plenty of heated messages privately, particularly since ‘AJ’ left Froch’s former coach Rob McCracken

Right now Joshua is without a belt and coming off a damaging knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois.

He is a former two-time world champion in his mid-thirties with only a few fights left at the top level. He has also lost to Andy Ruiz J, although he avenged that one, and was twice on the wrong end of a points decision when he took on Oleksandr Usyk.

Speaking to Fightlens, Froch assessed where Joshua is at right now.

“I’m just honest and I tell the truth and Anthony Joshua has had a good career, a fantastic career, based on the level of his ability.

“He’s been ironed out a few times and that last whopping he took against Daniel Dubois looked hurtful, particularly damaging to his health. You can have as much money as you want in the bank, but your health is more important, you can’t put a price on your health.”

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He then suggested he is finished and should hang up his gloves.

“The way he got knocked out looked like he’d been tasered. Hurt in round one, ironed out in round five. Why is he fighting? Since losing to Ruiz, back-to-back defeats to Usyk, then he fought Wallin, Ngannou, Helenius, he’s not had any competition.

“The minute somebody turns up with some ambition, which is Dubois, he didn’t want to know. Now the best thing he can do is retire.”

Anthony Joshua himself has a different view and has vowed to fight on, with the latest suggestions being that he could well return this summer for a blockbuster rematch with Dubois.

I’ Still Myself, Anthony Joshua’s fastest ever KO left rival crumpled at his feet after trademark shot on Carl Froch vs George Groves undercard

Anthony Joshua is one of British boxing’s most iconic figures in the modern era, having achieved it all as an Olympic gold medallist and a two-time heavyweight world champion.

Joshua went on a superb winning streak after turning over as a professional following his success at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

He won his first five fights in short stoppages, and was developing a fearsome reputation as a ferocious puncher.

The biggest opportunity of his career came on the undercard of Carl Froch and George Groves’ famous 2014 rematch.

It broke records as 80,000 packed into Wembley Stadium for the event, with Joshua getting a unique chance to impress on the undercard.

And he did more than impress against journeyman Matt Legg who leapt at the opportunity to take on the sport’s latest rising star.

But it was a devastating barrage of blows that saw his name on the tip of the watching fans tongues.

He first teed off with two shots that were largely blocked by Legg’s covered card.

Although a crunching uppercut found the mark crashing into the skull of the helpless Legg.

It sent him crumpling to the former Olympian’s feet as he fell flat on his back, the latest victim of the crazy power.

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The referee waved off the contest with Legg clearly out of his depth, making it the fastest KO of the champion’s career to this date.

Legg described how the fight came about, being paid £8,000 for the clash with the future king.

He said: “My manager called up and said ‘Anthony Joshua’s team have offered the AJ fight, at Wembley Stadium on the Carl Froch-George Groves rematch. I went ‘100 per cent I’ll take it.’

“I would have done it for free. If they’d have said ‘the thing is you’ve got to do it for nothing’, I’d have went ‘alright’.

Anthony Joshua Set For Return Soon ,Eddie Hearn Listed five Opponents Interested in His Return.

Although Tyson Fury is no longer the front-runner, Joshua has a list of five possible opponents for his next bout.

Since his knockout loss against IBF champion Daniel Dubois in September, Joshua has been out of action.

Before the Gypsy King declared his retirement in January, Joshua appeared to be headed for a big comeback against Tyson Fury.

Joshua might want a rematch with Dubois next because Fury hasn’t changed his mind about his boxing career yet.

Instead of immediately rematching with the 27-year-old Dubois, Joshua, 35, agreed to take on Parker next.

However, he withdrew from the bout with Parker in February just a few days before due to an ailment he contracted in Saudi Arabia.

In one round, however, Parker, defeated Bakole, a late replacement who filled in with little over 24 hours’ notice.

On the same evening, Kabayel defeated Zhilei Zhang to claim the WBC interim title.

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The 39-year-old former champion Wilder just lost to Parker on points and to Zhang via knockout.

Although the American has not yet announced a return to the ring, there are rumors that he is planning a comeback.

The most recent fight that Wilder has been associated with was against Francis Ngannou, a 38-year-old former UFC champion who was defeated by AJ and Fury in the ring.

Anthony Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, has risen two spots in the most recent Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings.

While Tyson Fury is ranked No. 1 despite declaring his retirement in January, Oleksandr Usyk is still in a class above the top 10.

The last time Anthony Joshua fought, he lost to Dubois via knockout at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

Following consecutive losses to Usyk in 2024—the first setbacks of his professional career—Fury made his decision. Many in the boxing community, however, question whether his retirement is permanent.

Bakole was knocked out by Joseph Parker after filling in for Dubois on short notice, while Zhang was halted by a stunning body blow from Agit Kabayel in the sixth round of their WBC interim heavyweight bout.

Joshua’s ascent in the rankings comes after the division underwent major changes.

Bakole, who was once ranked No. 6, is now No. 7, and Zhang plummeted from No. 4 to No. 6.

After his career-best victory, Kabayel climbed to No. 4, and Anthony Joshua is now No. 5 behind Zhilei Zhang, a German boxer.