ANTHONY JOSHUA has a “likely” next opponent set with Tyson Fury heading for a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ was ringside in Saudi Arabia to watch as Usyk dethroned the Gypsy King of the WBC belt to become undisputed king.
Challenging the winner was always deemed unlikely as a rematch clause all-but guaranteed a return bout.
And sure enough, Fury has invoked his right to redemption with a sequel targeted for the winter back in Saudi.
So Joshua’s attention looks to be on Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic, who battle on Saturday night in Riyadh.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing News: “At the moment it looks like the rematch is gonna be exercised. If I’m Tyson Fury, I’m definitely looking to have that fight.
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“AJ would love to fight Fury next, he’d love to fight Usyk next, but more than likely it will come from the winner of Hrgovic against Dubois next Saturday.”
Hrgovic, 31, will represent Hearn in the 5v5 tournament of bouts against Frank Warren’s picks, with Dubois, 26, on the opposing side.
And there was hope the fight could even be for the IBF belt Usyk, 37, looked set to be stripped of.
But the Ukrainian has so far kept hold of the title and wants to do so for his rematch with Fury, 35.
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Joshua, 34, could instead fight Hrgovic or Dubois for the interim version if Usyk is not stripped.
And he is primed to do so in September at Wembley as Saudi boxing boss – “His Excellency” Turki Alalshikh – prepares to enter the UK market.
Hearn said: “Nothing’s confirmed yet. September is a date at Wembley that’s been mentioned by His Excellency.
“We’ll sit down next week and look at the plans, but a lot of that card and a lot of other stuff that’s going on will be settled through the 5v5 on Saturday.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
