ANTHONY JOSHUA’S 2023 fight plans have been revealed by his promoter Eddie Hearn.
And it should see the Watford mauler finally nail down two huge grudge matches that will make or break his career.
AJ finally got back to winning ways on Saturday night when he easily outpointed American slugger Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena.
Thought it might only have gone some way to erasing painful memories of back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk and forfeiting all his world titles.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Hearn wants his man to have one rematch before heading into THE big one.
The 43-year-old Essex businessman said: ‘Some fights are there to be made and you get one chance to do it.
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“I think that is potentially the case with Tyson Fury. At the same time, I would still like him to have another fight with [new trainer] Derrick James to improve on what he has been working on.
“Dillian Whyte is a great fight. He needs to get back in the ring in July [or] August at the latest if he is to get three fights in this year.”
Joshua battered Whyte when they fought for the first time professionally in December 2015, brutally KO’ing his old amateur foe in the seventh round.
Since then, and despite the convincing way it ended, Whyte has chased the rematch, and was left fuming that despite BEATING Franklin himself, he was overlooked.
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Meanwhile, Fury versus Joshua has been the one the world has called for, for years.
But every time talks have collapsed, the latest being in June 2021 with both sides blaming each other.
The Gypsy King is now the one holding the marbles – namely the WBC heavyweight title.
Talks for an undisputed clash between Fury and Usyk ALSO collapsed, leaving the boxing public fuming.
But speaking in the ring after beating Franklin, AJ called on his fellow Brit to finally get it done.
AJ asked the 19,000 fans in the Docklands arena who they wanted to see him fight next.
In one loud voice, the crowd chanted “Fury”.
The 33-year-old former champ said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
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“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
