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.

“Who’s next for world champion ? How can I fight for the world title next? If [Oleksandr] Usyk wants a dance partner next, then we can get Uncle Frank [Warren] in here.”

Those were the words of Joseph Parker after he dispatched Martin Bakole inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia.

With the New Zealander losing his chance at becoming a two-time world champion when IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois withdrew through illness, Parker took the opportunity to put himself in the frame to fight WBC, WBA (Super) and WBO king Oleksandr Usyk.

Dubois’ illness could have a huge impact on the heavyweight scene with the Briton now eyeing an undisputed clash with Ukraine’s Usyk.

But Usyk is not short of challengers and it seems everyone is lining up to fight him.

Despite not looking to instantly avenge his brutal knockout by Dubois back in September 2024, Anthony Joshua remains on the scene and still has ambitions on becoming a three-time champion.

BBC Sport looks at the heavyweight landscape after a week or shocks and a night of knockouts.

“Let’s Roll The Dice” Anthony Joshua In Talks For Huge Summer Fight Against Unexpected Opponent

Anthony Joshua is now slated for a summer ring return.

Anthony Joshua was last in action in September when he was stopped inside five rounds by IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium

All signs then pointed towards ‘AJ’ taking on Tyson Fury in a huge all-British clash after Fury had come up short in his two battles with heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.

Those plans were dashed in January when Fury abruptly announced his retirement, leaving Joshua with no clear next opponent.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has now revealed to IFL TV that initial talks are underway for Joshua’s next bout, making the surprise claim that they are speaking about a rematch with Dubois, despite it seeming like ‘DDD’ was all set for an undisputed showdown with Usyk

“We’re talking to Queensberry about the potential of Dubois-AJ this summer, the rematch. They’re planning Dubois’ next move as well.

“Some brief conversations with His Excellency about AJ against Wilder, the Parker fight could have potential. At this stage why would you roll the dice against Parker for the interim would title when you could roll the dice against Dubois for the full world title?

READ MORE : Anthony Joshua could be fighting for a heavyweight title soon as he occupies…

“I don’t think there’s any difference in those fights really in terms of the toughness of them. I’d go for Dubois every day of the week. If we can’t get Fury, my advice is to fight Dubois for the world title. I think he [AJ] should do it and I think he will beat Dubois.”

As of January, Joshua is ranked number 7 with the IBF. Dubois does not yet have a mandatory challenger. He was set to defend his IBF title against Parker last month but pulled out of the contest on fight week due to a viral infection and replaced by Martin Bakole, with Parker winning that fight by second round knockout.

Dubois has made it clear that he wants a rematch against Usyk with all four heavyweight belts on the line. The Ukrainian is also pushing for the fight, as is Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh.