Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn has revealed the possibility of Anthony Joshua returning in the summer following his March 8th second-round knockout win over Francis Ngannou. Hearn also spoke on the possibility of Joshua potentially facing Filip Hrgovic for the IBF title that is expected to be vacated by the undisputed heavyweight winner between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, due to the rematch obligation between the two fighters.
With Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KO’s) currently regarded as one of the top heavyweight contenders in the division, a fight with Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KO’s) could be on the cards for the British heavyweight when he returns to the ring, according to Eddie Hearn.
“You’ll see him [Anthony Joshua] again [at the] back-end of the summer,” Hearn told IFL TV. “He’s keen to fight again A.S.A.P [as soon as possible].
“Obviously you got Fury-Usyk on May 18th, very keen to see what happens there, and then you got the IBF situation with Filip Hrgovic―and we’ll see what happens if he [Hrgovic] fights in the interim, but I would say Anthony Joshua’s next fight will either be or the world heavyweight championship, or for the undisputed heavyweight world championship.
“The winner of Fury-Usyk has to fight Hrgovic, no exceptions. So, we know that if there is [are] two fights, then the IBF [title] will become vacant. Now whether that comes in the meantime―and Hrgovic fights someone else first, or if he fights AJ [Anthony Joshua]… but AJ’s next fight will be for the heavyweight world championship, or maybe even for the undisputed. We’ll see.“
While Hearn appeared assertive in his assessment of Joshua’s next fight being for a world title, his statements heavily rely on the notion the IBF title will be vacated following the planned Usyk-Fury fight set to be held on May 18th. This same decision is likely also being considered by Filip Hrgovic who is also currently rumored to face British heavyweight Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KO’s) on June 1st.
Depending on the outcome of the potential Hrgovic-Dubois fight, Hearn may try to position Anthony Joshua to face the winner between Hrgovic and Dubois―who will then defend their IBF title against Joshua.
In the unlikely scenario that a rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will not transpire, the winner will most likely face IBF interim champion and mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic; allowing Joshua’s next fight to potentially be for undisputed.
Either way, Anthony Joshua appears well back on track to contend for a world title in the near future, with the month of August being considered as a possibility for when Joshua could be expected to return to the ring.
Ironically, Filip Hrgovic’s claims on Joshua being privileged by getting more―or quicker―opportunities will hold true if Joshua’s next fight will be for a world title, with the only question then remaining pertaining to whether Joshua is deserving of such opportunities. Given Anthony Joshua is currently regarded as a top 3 heavyweight on every ranking board―#1 according to the WBC and WBO, the only thing left for Joshua to do is to prove his worth as a top contender if he is to fight for a world championship next.
