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The topic of discussion has now turned to Anthony Joshua next fight. The path ahead is murky following his most recent setback against Daniel Dubois. Promoter Eddie Hearn has identified the shortlist of five potential opponents for Joshua’s anticipated return, one of which may see him make his first visit to Las Vegas, but would need to happen before the Super Bowl.
Why Joshua’s Next Opponent Isn’t Set in Stone Just Yet
Anthony Joshua next fight fanbase is left with uncertainty as promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken out on what could be the stumbling blocks for the British heavyweight’s next one. There is a contractual option for rematch immediately after Joshua’s recent knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, and the heavy-weight is keen to explore.
But Hearn says that waiting to see the result of Tyson Fury’s forthcoming fight is overly cautious, as a bout with Fury is still a big opportunity. Reports of a finalised fight with Martin Bakole have also been rubbished by Hearn, who adds that conversations about such a fight have not taken place. It offers the current indecision regarding Anthony Joshua next fight.
Who’s Who in Joshua’s Five-Man Shortlist
Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Agit Kabayel, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole, are the potential opponents of Anthony Joshua. A rematch, depending on when he fights, could be a strong possibility, after Dubois knocked out Joshua. Bakole, who failed to achieve the expected upset, was also defeated by Parker, who had been a former WBO champion. Both are undefeated rising stars, and Wilder is a dangerous puncher. Even though Bakole lost to Parker, he is in the frame as a possible challenger for Anthony Joshua next fight.
Is the Gypsy King Truly Retired or Just Taking a Breather?
Permanence was called into question when Tyson Fury announced retirement from the sport of boxing, multiple times throughout his career. After two defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, Fury announced his retirement for the second time in January 2025. His coach and cousin Andy Lee said Fury was happy he had made his decision not to return to the ring and was keen to enjoy his family life. Fury also dismissed the idea of fighting Anthony Joshua, according to Lee, although he had hinted that this would be his last fight. That is another layer of uncertainty regarding Anthony Joshua next fight.
Could the Bronze Bomber Be Joshua’s Next Challenge?
Deontay Wilder’s last couple of fights have been mixed, a knockout win against Robert Helenius and less so against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Yet a fight with Anthony Joshua continues to fire the interest of fans. Roy Jones Jr. prefers Joshua, Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis see Wilder’s power as the deciding factor. The country is divided on the side of public opinion, which makes Anthony Joshua next fight highly unpredictable.
How the Kiwi Fighter Climbed Back into Contention
After his loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Joseph Parker bounced back and won key fights. However, the win considered his most notable recent win was a second round knockout over Martin Bakole in February 2025. His improved form and boxing skills were on show in this dominant performance. He is back in contention for the title after his resurgence. His momentum makes him one of the best options to fight Anthony Joshua next.
The Unbeaten German’s Case for Facing Joshua
Agit Kabayel has made steady wagon up the heavyweight ladder without defeat and is now in line for Anthony Joshua next fight. As his footwork is impressive, and the defensive abilities he has, the opponent is difficult to beat. While Kabayel wouldn’t be as well known as others on the shortlist he would be a major contender in Joshua next fight.
From Sparring Stories to Main Event Dreams
Martin Bakole believes he very much affected Anthony Joshua with powerful impacts, even wobbling the Brit. The sessions were ‘wars’ but of course these are intense sessions with a lot of guys in there and not every sparring session is something that will play out in a fight.’ Hearn also doubted whether a Joshua-Bakole bout was likely, given the fate suffered by Bakole in his most recent fight with Joseph Parker, and said that he has not been in talks about a battle with Joshua. But Bakole is still eager for Anthony Joshua next fight.
Why Some Fights Make Dollars but Not Sense
Promoter of Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn designs matchups by looking at both the commercial and competitive sides. The major attractions are high profile fights like Deontay Wilder or another shot at Daniel Dubois who can bring in great revenue from pay per views sales and live gate receipts.
They are, however, viewed sceptically by Hearn, such as it would be after the midas touched Martin Bakole and his loss to Joseph Parker, and that takes the gloss of one of its marketability and remunerative ness from the fight. But Hearn stresses the business side of boxing, insisting that if Anthony Joshua next fight is to be a success it has to be economically viable, and if not then further profitable for Joshua.
What Are Supporters Saying About Joshua’s Potential Opponents?
Fans have expressed mixed opinions on Anthony Joshua’s potential opponents. Many are eager for a bout with Tyson Fury, though Fury’s recent retirement announcements cast doubt on this matchup. Conversely, some fans criticized Joshua’s interest in fighting Deontay Wilder, perceiving Wilder as past his prime. Additionally, after Joshua’s loss to Daniel Dubois, discussions about a rematch have emerged, with fans divided on its necessity. Overall, high-profile fights against top-tier opponents generate the most excitement among fans for Anthony Joshua next fight.
The array of potential opponents and the complexities involved highlight the intricate nature of boxing matchmaking. Anthony Joshua next fight will undoubtedly shape the future of the division and his legacy within it.
