EDDIE HEARN said Anthony Joshua is ready to rematch Dillian Whyte next year after a ringside scouting mission.
AJ lost to his heavyweight rival in their 2009 amateur barnburner but won the rematch six years later in the pros.
And Joshua sat and watched with a keen eye at Wembley Arena as Whyte just edged out Jermaine Franklin by disputed majority decision.
Hearn is ready to pit the pair together next year in either the first quarter of 2023 or in the summer for AJ.
He told Matchroom Boxing: “His next date is fast approaching and he’s looking at those guys throughout the whole fight, thinking, ‘Whoever gets this, I want the winner.’
“Dillian Whyte got the nod. Whether that’s in March or whether that’s in June or July, I feel pretty confident that fight will take place.
READ MORE IN boxing
“He’s ready to go. He’s is licking his lips. He’s ready to get back into camp and looking forward to his return.”
Joshua, 33, took a break from boxing following consecutive losses on points to Oleksandr Usyk, 35.
Hearn teased that the winner between Whyte, 34, and Franklin, 29, would likely welcome AJ back to the ring next year.
The promoter warned Joshua could have one comeback fight before a summer rematch or go straight into it.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
But one thing is for sure, it would see him head back for Wembley Stadium to fight Whyte, the man he knocked out in 2015.
He said: “Every AJ fight is a stadium fight, particularly against Dillian Whyte.
“He’s looking for a big year, three fights and that would be a great all-British blockbuster.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk