‘He’d probably get criticised’ – Eddie Hearn pours doubts on potential next fight for Anthony Joshua as five-man hit list drawn up

Eddie Hearn insists there are five names in the running to box Anthony Joshua next – but one is less likely than the others.

Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring this summer following his devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September.

The plan was for AJ to finally square off with Tyson Fury this summer.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh was even said to be preparing a lucrative offer for a two-fight deal.

However, the fight has been shelved as Fury announced his retirement from boxing in January following a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

While Hearn is hoping Fury will reverse his retirement, he isn’t banking on it.

The Matchroom Boxing chief is planning to sit down with Joshua and his advisers imminently to discuss possible next opponents and there is no shortage of options.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com he said: “Daniel Dubois still [is the frontrunner].

“In an ideal world, he will fight 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, His Excellency (Alalshikh) has stated he would love to see that fight.

“I guess the Bakole fight is still there, but he would probably get criticised if he fought Bakole, so less likely,” he added.

READ MORE : Tyson Fury could be part of something ‘really specia, Anthony Joshua wants….

The 33-year-old was in Congo with family when he received the green light from Alalshikh and embarked on a 3,800-mile journey to Saudi Arabia the next day, made up of three separate flights.

The first plane ride took him from Congo to Ethiopia, then to Dubai, before landing in Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Saturday morning.

When he made his way to the ring, Bakole was clipped on the top of the head with a clubbing right hand in the second round that sent him hurtling to the canvas.

Eddie Hearn claims Wembley is booked for blockbuster Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury showdown… before Gypsy King provides shock update on boxing future

Eddie Hearn revealed he has booked out Wembley Stadium ahead of a potential all-British showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, just hours before the Gypsy King dropped a bombshell update on his boxing future.

The two British heavyweights have shared a long-running and bitter rivalry over the years, with constant speculation at times that a highly-anticipated fight between them will finally take place.

Yet, despite strong public support for a bout and significant conjecture and negotiations, a showdown has never materialised

Earlier this month, rumours circulated on social media that a fight had finally been agreed between Joshua and Fury in what would be dubbed as ‘The Battle of Britain’ and arguably the biggest fight in British boxing history.

And Hearn has revealed he has reserved the iconic Wembley Stadium for the fight to potentially take place in ‘May or June’ – but admitted it all comes down to Fury’s decision after his recent loss to Oleksandr Usyk.

‘Yes. We’re looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn’t really matter,’ Hearn told Sky Sports at the Ring Awards when asked if he has booked in a Wembley date.

‘Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?’.

Hearn’s teasing update to fans was squashed almost instantly on Monday by the Gypsy King, who took to social media to reveal that he is retiring from the sport.

‘Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,’ Fury said in a clip he shared to social media.

‘I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it.

‘I’m going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. GET UP!’

After his defeat by Usyk, Fury had suggested he has no intention of retiring.

Although Fury’s announcement has shocked boxing fans across the world, some supporters are questioning whether the retirement claim is genuine, given the Gypsy King has previously retired from the sport before returning.

READ MORE: After KO Threat: Anthony Joshua squares off with ‘most dangerous fighter…

Back in 2022, Fury revealed he was ‘done’ with boxing after beating Dillian Whyte, only to return at the end of the year to fight Derek Chisora.

Some fans have questioned whether Fury’s cryptic message at the end of his video which said ‘Dick Turpin wore a mask’ was a potential dig at Joshua’s camp in terms of the fight negotiations.

Meanwhile, Joshua earlier this month gave credence to the speculation of a fight against Fury by outlining his plan for the year ahead.

‘2025, I am targeting Tyson Fury,’ the 35-year-old explained during a trip to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

Joshua’s last fight came in September when he faced rising prospect Daniel Dubois in a bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

Mega Fight: Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn reveals he has reserved Wembley Stadium for potential summer mega fight

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury has moved a step closer and could happen this summer at Wembley Stadium.

Eddie Hearn has revealed he wants Joshua to return to action in May or June and has reserved Wembley for a potential mega-fight with Fury.

However, Hearn admits it is still unclear what Fury wants to do after successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

Asked if he had a Wembley date available if Fury wanted to fight Joshua, Hearn said: “Yes. We’re looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn’t really matter.

“I still think it rests on Tyson Fury. Until the water settles on the defeat and where he’s at mentally and what he wants to do, that’s where we’re really going to find out.

“Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?”.

Joshua, who has not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September, posted a picture of Fury on his Instagram with the message “looking for this guy”.

Speaking at the Ring Awards, Hearn added: “Everything I’ve seen from AJ’s social media, particularly in the last hour or so, is very encouraging.

“He’s not really one to call anyone out, but clearly he is calling him out. He’s calling out Tyson Fury.

“It’s the fight he wants. I keep saying there are two fights: Daniel Dubois or Tyson Fury.

“The world heavyweight title is what he [Joshua] wants. But, of course, Fury is a fight that must land on the resume of Anthony Joshua.

READ MORE : Roy Jones Jr Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Anthony Joshua Can Ever…..

“And obviously it must be delivered for the British public as well.

“I think the real key in this is Tyson Fury. He’s just three weeks off a defeat, probably still upset and reflecting upon that defeat. We’ll have to see if he wants to fight again.”

Joshua: I’m gunning for Fury and want to leave the game with a bang

“After my last fight I took some time out. I let my body heal, which I’m still working on now, and I declined some business opportunities so I could focus on the sport, which takes off mental pressure as well as physically.

“I went away with family which is always good and we’re back again for 2025 and I feel good.

“It’s a fight [Joshua vs Fury] I want to see, because I’m a fan of boxing, so I want to get that fight underway.

“When I’m in the local gym everyone is asking me, and the reason I decided to do some interesting stuff (on social media) is because I haven’t got many years ahead of me. I’ve had more years behind me.

“So what I want to do is leave the game with a bang and make an impact.

“Be outlandish, a great character, have fun with it while we’re doing it and go for the big fights. Tyson Fury is one of them.

“Every time I see people they say: ‘When you fighting Fury?’ The Irish community, English community, Nigerian community, everyone is asking me the same question.

“As a fighter, it’s up to me to deliver. It has to happen this year.”