Anthony Joshua has not agreed to his next bout, according to Eddie Hearn, who claims the heavyweight has not yet started negotiations with any opponent.
On social media, there had been speculation that Joshua might next face Deontay Wilder or Martin Bakole.
The 35-year-old Joshua recently lost by knockout to IBF champion Daniel Dubois in an all-British fight, but Matchroom promoter Hearn insists there are no firm plans in place.
“If you check Twitter [X], you can see that he has committed to fight Martin Bakole. Everything is signed today for Wilder’s June 7 matchup with Joshua.
On the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast, Hearn stated, “But with both of those fights, there hasn’t been a single conversation yet.”
In recent weeks, Bakole, a heavyweight from Congo, has discussed a fight with Joshua and even implied that he injured the two-time heavyweight world champion during a sparring session.
Hearn, however, who has supported Joshua throughout his professional career, dismissed the rumor with a laugh, claiming that he has never seen Bakole “rock” Joshua during a spar.
“I think Martin Bakole is a very good fighter, but don’t get carried away that this is the new George Foreman,” Hearn stated. “The problem with Bakole is, he is a handful, but he doesn’t really bring the dollars for the fight.”
At Wembley last September, Joshua lost for the fourth time in his career and for the second time by stoppage, which prevented him from reclaiming his position at the top of the heavyweight scene.
He was supposed to rematch with Dubois, however he chose not to, and Dubois will now take on Joseph Parker on February 22.
There had been growing speculation that the Gypsy King may meet Joshua prior to Tyson Fury’s unexpected retirement announcement last month. Hearn claims that Fury is still at the top of Joshua’s wish list, even though that match seems doubtful once more.
Hearn stated, “It’s always been the two – Tyson Fury – who is retired at the moment, we’ll see how long that lasts, and the winner of Dubois-Parker,” in reference to Joshua’s preferred next opponent.
Joshua and Dubois have a history together; during their 2018 unification bout, Joshua deprived Parker of his WBO belt.
Given that Parker has won five straight fights, including victories over Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, Hearn is not sure Dubois will hold onto his IBF title.
In reference to Dubois-Parker, Hearn stated, “The first four, five rounds of that fight will be so important,”
“I believe Dubois believes he is unbeatable at the moment, so if Parker can make it through those rounds, you have to start raising doubts in his mind.
He is succumbing to the buzz. which could benefit him. Dubois can be a pain.
He can be defeated, in my opinion, and Parker is the man to accomplish it.
Daniel Dubois is a dangerous individual at the moment because of his confidence.