Anthony Joshua returns to Wembley Stadium in September and there are three frontrunners to fill the opposite corner.
The Olympic Gold Medalist come two-time world heavyweight champion has been enjoying a resurgence in his career under the guidance of Ben Davison, bouncing back from two losses to Oleksandr Usyk to go on a run of four wins.
Joshua is positioned well with the sanctioning bodies and has made it clear his current goal in the sport is to become world champ once more.
The simplest route to that looks to be the IBF. Usyk, who now holds all four belts after an incredible victory over Tyson Fury, could be forced to vacate that particular title since a rematch with the Brit will stop him facing his overdue mandatory.
Joshua then was closely linked to face 26-year-old Daniel Dubois, who won the IBF Interim Title from Filip Hrgovic this past weekend.
Speaking to Seconds Out, promoter Eddie Hearn said Dubois was the likely opponent on the condition that the vacant belt was on the line.
“We haven’t decided who we’re fighting next. We’ll talk to AJ, His Excellency [and] the fight will be announced on the 26th June. If the fight with Dubois is for a world title, that’s likely to be the fight. If not, then it’ll probably be someone else. Could be Zhang, could be Parker – no decisions made yet.”
Joseph Parker has been angling for a rematch with ‘AJ’ after losing on points back in 2018.Zhilei Zhang is also looking to avenge a loss, his back in the amateur days at the 2012 Olympics.
With both men having recently defeated Deontay Wilder, each has a good case for the Joshua fight, although Parker likely stand ahead given he has also beaten Zhilei Zhang.
