ANTHONY Joshua will face one of Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte if he is able to beat Jermaine Franklin first.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, mentioned the three as possible opponents for the former world heavyweight boxing champion after his battle with Franklin on April 1.
Nigerian-Briton Joshua, 33, is aiming for his first victory in two years after losing his last two fights to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who took his World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation heavyweight titles.
“Joshua has three options if he beats Franklin – Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte,” Hearn said on talkSPORT.
“People say, ‘you throw Dillian Whyte in there because that’s the one that’s going to happen’, I mean that’s the easiest fight to make and I don’t think there is any disgrace, after the Usyk fights, going Franklin, Dillian Whyte, Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. That’s a hell of a 2023.”
Joshua has previously fought Whyte twice, losing to his British rival in their amateur days but avenging the loss in their 2015 rematch when both men were unbeaten as professionals.
Two-time world champion Joshua has been heavily linked with fights against Wilder and Fury in the past but neither worked out after talks broke down.
Hearn admitted to being nervous ahead of Joshua’s fight against Franklin and is hoping Joshua can make an emphatic comeback.
“I’m a promoter and I’m hyping the fight, but at the same time I am nervous. He’s coming off two defeats, albeit to Oleksandr Usyk, we saw emotionally the position he was in because he wanted to win so badly. He’s lost two fights on the bounce, he’s no longer a world champion, of course his star has fallen,” Hearn said.
The outspoken promoter then praised Joshua for his work ethic and commitment to boxing, adding: “He’s got a new trainer and he’s taken himself to Dallas with a very small team to work his absolute socks off.
“He’s a man who in my opinion is an elite heavyweight, he’s a top three heavyweight who wants to comeback and regain his world title. He’s the purest individual, he’s the hardest worker, he makes more sacrifices and commitments than any athlete I’ve ever seen and he’s my mate, so I’m so pumped for his return.
“I want him to go in there and show people how good he is. I want him to believe in himself, I want him to appreciate what he’s achieved and I want him to go in there and make a statement.”
Joshua has a professional record of 27 fights, 24 wins (22 by knockout) and three losses.
Franklin, who is American, has had 22 fights, winning 21 (14 via knockout) and losing once.
