Hearn Reveals Joshua’s Options for Next Fight: Wilder, Whyte, Bakole & More

Eddie Hearn has revealed eight options that could be considered for Anthony Joshua’s next fight this summer if his target, Tyson Fury, chooses to remain retired.

Fury abruptly retired this week in an unexpected move following a loss to joint heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch on December 21. Hearn still thinks Fury is not serious and wants to come back with a big offer.

Hearn’s Short List

If Tyson ever retires, Hearn says the options below are potential targets for AJ to fight this summer.

– Dillian Whyte
– Joseph Parker
– Daniel Dubois
– Martin Bakole
– Zhilei Zhang
– Agit Kabayel
– Deontay Wilder

Some of those names will seem unlikely, as Hearn has said he doesn’t want Joshua to fight anyone “there is no commercial benefit.” That leaves Bakole, Zhang, Kabayel, and Parker behind.

AJ’s realistic options

The only fighter on the list is Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) making good money Whyte, Deontay, and Dubois. Former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder, 39, looks washed out and has lost four of his last five fights. However, AJ is considered shot to pieces. So, a fight between him and Deontay wouldn’t be bad. Still, boxing fans will scoff at Joshua if he takes a fight with Wilder. Hearn would not hear the end of it.

“He was going to fight with Bakole. He stood up to anyone. We have to look for big battles. I don’t want him to have to fight so hard that he doesn’t have a commercial advantage. I wouldn’t have done my job,” said Eddie Hearn writing to Secondsout about Anthony Joshua. “He’s not too focused on money, but I am.

“I would like Bakole in Africa. Dillian Whyte in London. Deontay in America. Kabayel winner against Zhang. I’m just telling you the words now before someone says it’s possible because I don’t know. Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Martin Bakole.

“For me, the biggest picks are Tyson Fury and the Dubois winner against Parker. It doesn’t mean that he won’t rise up in other wars. He will fight this summer. That’s easy,” said Hearn.

Bakole A Threat

I don’t know why Hearn bothers to mention Martin Bakole’s name because he knows he won’t let Joshua get close to this hit singer. After the way Bakole destroyed Jared Anderson, America’s best heavyweight, on August 3, Hearn did not dare to allow AJ to fight him.

“When Bakole called him the other day, I think that was very good for AJ. You’ve been down in the dumps. Everyone who wins is going to be beaten, and I think that got him a little bit of support. He will be fighting against Bakole. It’s been forever,” said Hearn.