Eddie Hearn has been talking up Anthony Joshua as the former unified champion returns to the ring next month before his showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua has not held a world title since 2021, when he was beaten for the first time by Oleksandr Usyk. The rematch in 2022 went the same way, and after rebuilding with some solid wins, Joshua then took on Daniel Dubois in September 2024 but was knocked out inside six rounds.
He fought just once last year when he stopped the overmatched American Jake Paul in December, then was involved in a fatal car crash later that month in which he lost two close friends and team members.
He fights for the first time this year in July when he takes on Kristian Prenga, before finally stepping into the ring with Fury after that, should he win.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Hearn was asked who ‘AJ’ would look to fight if he beats ‘The Gypsy King’.
“If you want to be world heavyweight champion again there is a very good chance you’re going to have to fight Moses Itauma, because I think he is going to be world heavyweight champion at some point.
“So whether ‘AJ’, once he beats Fury, whether he fights – he’ll want to fight whoever is champion. If Moses has a belt, he’ll fight him, if Dubois has a belt, he’ll fight him. It won’t be an issue. He’s never ever ducked one fighter, ‘AJ,’ he’ll fight anybody.”
Fury is a big hurdle to climb first, and he got back to winning ways in April when he beat Arslanbek Makmuhdov following his own defeats to Usyk and taking the whole of 2025 out of the sport.
