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After British star was ‘snubbed, Eddie Hearn names the FIVE fighters who Anthony Joshua could face in comeback fight – after British star was ‘snubbed for Saudi showdown’

Eddie Hearn has revealed the five fighters who could face Anthony Joshua as the heavyweight star looks to return to the boxing ring later this year.

The 35-year-old has not fought since his comprehensive loss to Daniel Dubois last year, where was knocked out by his compatriot in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley.

In a turn of events, last month, he was tipped to step in and replace Dubois after he fell ill and was forced to pull out of his bout against Joseph Parker in Riyadh.

Reports claimed at the time that Joshua was not considered as a late replacement option for Dubois, despite being in Riyadh at the time.

Perhaps that’s because he already has his sights on another bout after promoter Hearn revealed the five-name shortlist of boxers who could face Joshua.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: ‘Daniel Dubois still [is the frontrunner]. In an ideal world, he will fight [Tyson] Fury, if not Dubois.

‘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.

‘I guess the [Martin] Bakole fight is still there, but he would probably get criticised if he fought Bakole, so less likely.’

The potential fight that would generate the most interest among British fans is undoubtedly Joshua vs Fury.

But Fury announced his retirement last month with immediate effect on the heels of his second defeat by Usyk in December of last year.

Last month, Joshua gave an intriguing reply when asked about his future in the ring when he was interviewed ringside at the Beterviev vs Bivol II card.

READ MORE : “Only The Ring can judge” Joseph Parker Says He Has No Doubt Who Wins Anthony Joshua..

When questioned on his future, Joshua said: ‘More fights, this is my life, this is what I do. Right now I sit outside and I watch and then I’ll make my return one day.

‘I sit back as a fan and watch the great people in the sport I love.’

Joshua, 35, won the first 22 fights of his professional career, before losing his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles in a shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Junior in June 2019.

Anthony joshua

The Watford-born fighter bounced back by beating Ruiz in a rematch six months later but he has since lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk, before being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in his most recent fight in September last year.

Joshua won four fights against relatively easier opposition between his rematch defeat by Usyk and last year’s loss to Dubois.

Unlikely match-up ,Canelo Alvarez Names His One Condition To Fight Jake Paul After Being Accused Of ‘Ducking’

Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez was close to fighting Jake Paul this year.

instead opted to The unlikely match-up was dashed at the last minute when Canelo – currently unified champion at 168 pounds – stick to the traditional scene, signing a four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh

Paul has labelled the move as a clear ‘duck’ – something extremely few would agree with – and criticised Alvarez for the way he went about it.

Speaking on Hot 97, the elite Mexican champion revealed just how far talks had progressed before leaving the door open for it to take place in the future, but only when he is done with the more serious business of world championships.

“I think everybody wants to see me beat Jake Paul. You know, I thought about it for a minute, we agreed for the promoters to go and see what the numbers are for that fight in May.

“I don’t call that a fight, I call it an event. That event needs to wait. It’s not the moment to do that kind of event at this moment in my career. I think at the end of my career, when I’m retired, maybe. We’ll see.”

Asked how he rates the YouTuber-turned-fighter skill-wise, Canelo said it was hard to say but did praise his dedication to the sport.

“He’s focused. He’s focused on boxing. He’s disciplined. We need to credit him for that. Maybe he’s more disciplined than other fighters.

READ MORE : “He Knows Now”: Canelo Gives His Honest Rating Of Terence Crawford’s Last….

“But, as a fighter, it’s very difficult to say. That’s why when you say ‘a fight with Jake Paul’ for me it’s difficult to say a fight. It’s more an event than a fight.”

Paul is yet to announce his next opponent, though news is expected soon.

As for Canelo, he kicks off his Riyadh Season deal with an undisputed clash against new IBF Super-Middleweight World Champion William Scull. Should he win and become four-belt ruler once more, extra intrigue is added to an already booked mega fight against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas this September.

Detroit Free Press: Suspending Michigan Boxer Claressa Shields For Marijuana is ‘Ludicrous’

Flint native Claressa Shields, one of the most outstanding boxers in the world, has been suspended by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on behalf of the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission after testing positive for a trace amount of marijuana.

She has denied ever using the drug and is fighting the suspension.

But that’s beside the point, according to Khalil AlHajal, deputy editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press, who has written a column explaining why the suspension is absurd.

First, AlHajal points out that medical marijuana was legalized in Michigan in 2008, and in 2018, voters approved its recreational use.

He calls the suspension over marijuana “ludicrous” and goes on to say:

READ MORE : Claressa Shields And Ryan Garcia Bitterly React To Controversial Gervonta Davis…

The changes [in marijuana laws] have not made their way to the state’s regulations around combat sports, leading to last month’s ludicrous suspension of one of Michigan’s greatest athletes, potentially tarnishing her spotless reputation for clean competition…

The state’s order of suspension absurdly calls Shields’ supposed conduct “an imminent threat to the integrity of the sport of professional boxing” and “the public interest.”

AlHajal also notes that the trace amount of marijuana was detected after Shields was tested following a fight in Flint last month. Two other boxers that night also tested positive.

He goes on to write:

A Free Press writer who covered the event confirmed reports that weed smoke was noticeable throughout the arena that night, and it isn’t inconceivable that secondhand exposure may have played a role in those test results.

As Rematch Nears : Oleksandr Usyk Delivers Honest Verdict On Daniel Dubois Power

Oleksandr Usyk is well acquainted with being up close and personal with Daniel Dubois in a boxing ring.

The pair first fought in August 2023. It was a fight on Polish soil with a huge crowd in favour of Usyk. At that point he was already a unified heavyweight champion having beaten Anthony Joshua in 2021 for his three world titles. He then defended them successfully in a rematch in 2022 before going into a second defence against Dubois

The Brit started well and infamously managed to knock Usyk down to the canvas with a body shot, although the referee judged that it was a low blow. Usyk took all the time he needed to recover, and when the fight restarted, he went through the gears and stopped ‘DDD’ in the 9th round.

Many people have spoken about Dubois’ body shot and claimed it should have stood, which is why there is plenty of intrigue about the pair rematching. That fight is top of Usyk’s list as he wants to become the undisputed champion for a second time, having first done so by beating Tyson Fury last May.

Right now, Dubois holds the IBF belt he needs to complete his collection once more.

READ MORE : Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua cannot believe the brutal knockout…

Speaking in the ring after their controversial first bout, the Ukrainian great was asked if he rated how hard the 27-year-old punches and was dismissive with his answer.

“No [power], only in my balls.”

Usyk has never been down in the ring before or since that night, and has rarely even looked troubled. He is now in his late thirties, however, so is likely to be close to the end of his career, so if Dubois is to ever fully impose himself on the southpaw champion, it might be now.

“Only The Ring can judge” Joseph Parker Says He Has No Doubt Who Wins Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder After Facing Both

Joseph Parker is one of only a few men to have fought both Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.

Some of the other names include Dominic Breazeale and Robert Helenius. American puncher Wilder knocked out both of those men inside the first round, and knocked out all of his opponents until he came up against Tyson Fury

Across three fights, he drew one, then was stopped in the next two and since then has taken two more losses. One was against Parker on points in December 2023, and the other was by KO against Zhilei Zhang back in June 2024.

He has not fought since, though there has been plenty of speculation he will be returning to the ring. Former two-time world champion Joshua is often mentioned as a possible opponent for what would be a blockbuster fight despite the fact that both men are now towards the end of their careers.

Anthony Joshua is coming off a loss against Daniel Dubois, who knocked him out inside five rounds back in September to retain his IBF belt.

He was due to defend it in February against former WBO ruler Parker, but fell ill at the last minute and was withdrawn. so Parker instead took on Martin Bakole and stopped him in the second round.

READ MORE : “He’s Not The Better Boxer” Tony Bellew Makes KO Prediction For Anthony Joshua…

Speaking to Mail Sport Boxing, the New Zealander was asked who would win if ‘AJ’ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ were to fight one another now.

“Anthony Joshua.”

The fight would likely represent a final chance to get back to the top of the sport for either man, so even without a belt on the line it would be a much anticipated contest between two of this era’s most entertaining fighters.

However, it has now been suggested that Joshua could instead be going into a rematch with Dubois.

Dave Allen Predicts Usyk vs Daniel Dubois Rematch After Sparring Both and says “He Knocked Me Out”

Popular British fighter Dave Allen has shared the ring with many of the world’s top heavyweights including both Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.

Right now, all of the belts in the banner division are in possession of these two men. Dubois, after beating Filip Hrgovic, was upgraded to IBF champion when Usyk – who remains in possession of the WBA, WBO and WBC – vacated that title to make a rematch with Tyson Fury.

The Ukrainian is unbeaten in his professional career. He first cleaned out the cruiserweight division to become undisputed champion, then moved up to heavyweight and, after beating Anthony Joshua twice and Fury twice, he repeated that feat. He is now heading towards the end of his career, but is motivated by becoming a two-time undisputed champion in the division, three-time overall.

That means he could well face Dubois for a second time having already knocked him out back in summer 2023, albeit after being down himself from what some think was ruled rather controversially to be a low blow.

Having shared the ring with both men – and famously entering after Usyk gave him a concussion in the gym – Allen gave his prediction for the second fight to Seconds Out.

“I sparred Dubois nine years ago. He gave me whiplash on my neck from a jab, and Usyk knocked me out. I think Dubois could beat him. Usyk’s not getting any younger, he’s an old man, and he’s not a heavyweight really, I give Dubois a big chance.”

After Dubois withdrew from a voluntary defence against Joseph Parker last month due to illness, the path is now clear and the undisputed fight against Usyk looks very likely to be next, much to Parker’s disappointment.

Frank Bruno Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Usyk Would Be Champion In His Era With Lewis And Tyson

Frank Bruno has been asked how Oleksandr Usyk would have got on had he fought in his era back in the eighties and nineties.

Many people believe that Usyk is the current pound-for-pound king. He is a generational talent who has not yet been beaten in the professional ranks. He turned over shortly after winning a Gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012 and within six years had cleaned out the cruiserweight division to become the four-belt undisputed champion

Despite being a naturally smaller man, he moved up to heavyweight and soon began dominating there too. After a win over Derek Chisora, he took on Anthony Joshua and beat him twice to become unified world champion, then stopped Daniel Dubois to defend his belts. Usyk would go on to beat the towering Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight and prove beyond all doubt that he is the best in his era, even backing that up with a second and more decisive points win over ‘The Gyspy King’ back in December.

Speaking to iFL TV, former heavyweight champion Bruno was asked how Usyk would have got on in his day.

“I don’t think in my era he would have got that far but in his era he’s done very well. I’m not being b**chy when I say that but I’m talking from the heart about how it goes. There was too many heavyweights for him, naturally big guys, you know.”

Bruno faced the likes of Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson during his campaign, becoming world heavyweight champion in his penultimate fight against Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium.

Usyk believes that all that is left for him to do in boxing is become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, which means beating the IBF champion Dubois once more.

A win puts him firmly in the history books regardless of fantasy match-ups across generations.

Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder: Wilder Return: Malik Scott Talks Potential Francis Ngannou Fight and Shares His Candid Take

Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) was once one of the most feared heavyweights in the world, prior to his gruelling trilogy with Tyson Fury. Since the conclusion of those intense battles, Wilder has secured only one victory—a brutal first-round stoppage over Robert Helenius. After two losses on Riyadh Season cards, “The Bronze Bomber” has been linked with a return to the ring. Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott, recently spoke to SpaceportSweden.com, offering insight into a potential return and a possible matchup with UFC legend

Deontay Wilder Return: Malik Scott Talks Potential Francis Ngannou Fight

Malik Scott Discusses Wilder Comeback

Wilder has appeared twice on Riyadh Season cards, losing to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, leading many to write off “The Bronze Bomber.” Despite the doubters, his trainer Malik Scott believes he will make a comeback:

Fighting is in Deontay’s heart. He’ll fight again. Deontay will fight again. He just moves on his own terms and does things how he wants to do them. Especially when it comes to the business aspect of things because like I said he doesn’t need this, so he ain’t going to do it if all the terms are not right. 

“He’s still Deontay Wilder. He’s still big time boxing and people still want to see him. He’ll fight again.

Wilder vs Ngannou

When asked if Wilder knocks out Ngannou, Scott said: “If we get to go against him he is going to get to feel the wrath of Deontay Wilder because the closest thing he felt to it was AJ. But AJ and Wilder power is different. So if he thinks AJ can hit him with his best shot and hurt him, imagine if Deontay Wilder hit him with his best shot. He goes to sleep, just like he did with Anthony Joshua.

“We’d put it together and Deontay would go in there and be himself. And if Deontay gets to him the same way AJ got to him, then he’ll be knocked out again,” said Malik Scott about Wilder-Ngannou.

“He’s Not The Better Boxer” Tony Bellew Makes KO Prediction For Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury

There is still a hope that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury can finally come to blows in the ring and Tony Bellew has now shared his view on what will happen.

This is one of the biggest fights that could be made in world boxing. The major hurdle to it right now is that Fury is retired, and has been since early January. His announcement came as something of a surprise just weeks after he took his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Both contests were close and went the full 12 rounds, but both saw Fury lose on the cards, having initially come up short in their first fight for undisputed honours back in May 2024.

Joshua also twice lost to Usyk but rebuilt well with four straight wins, however he is also coming off a loss. He failed in his attempt to become the IBF world champion when he fell at the fists of Daniel Dubois in their world title fight in September last year.

READ MORE : “Let’s Roll The Dice” Anthony Joshua In Talks For Huge Summer Fight Against…

Speaking to FightLens, former world cruiserweight champion Bellew was asked to predict what would happen if the two Brits did square off.

“I’ve always said it and I’ll stick by it, I just think Anthony Joshua will be forced to let his hands go and he’ll knock out Tyson Fury. Do I think he’s the better fighter? No, but not always the better fighter wins.”

Anthony joshua

Many hope that Fury’s retirement move is simply a tactic to strengthen his hand for negotiations with Joshua, but as of now he remains retired.

“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.

Anthony joshua,Daniel dubois

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.

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