EDDIE HEARN has insisted Anthony Joshua does not want a “gimme fight” next time out – despite coming off the back of two straight losses.
Talks are currently ongoing with Tyson Fury’s camp regarding a mega all-British showdown before the year is out.
But in the event of that mouthwatering meeting falling through, Hearn insisted that AJ wants to fight one of the best in the business.
Speaking on who Joshua’s opponent could be if the Fury fight collapses, Hearn told the DAZN Boxing Show: “He wouldn’t want a soft touch. I think that would work against him.
“It’s a top 10 guy, you could pull him out of the rankings yourself. As soon as I start mentioning names, the price goes up. The last thing AJ wants is a gimme fight.”
Here SunSport take a look at three names Hearn mentioned as possible opponents in the event of the Fury fight not going ahead.
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Filip Hrgovic
Standing at 6ft 6in, the 30-year-old Croatian is the exact same height as Joshua.
Nicknamed ‘El Animal’, Filip Hrgovic has won all 15 of his professional bouts, 12 of which have come via knockout.
His last fight was in August, on the undercard of Joshua vs Usyk II, where he outpointed Chinese fighter Zhang Zhilei in an eliminator for the IBF world title.
Zhilei Zhang
Hearn also mentioned Zhang himself as a potential opponent for Joshua.
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That loss to Hrgovic was the first of the 39-year-old southpaw’s professional career.
But speaking on a matchup for AJ, Hearn was impressed by Zhang in defeat.
He said: “You’ve got Filip Hrgovic. He just won. I think it was a poor performance from him. Zhilei Zhang looked good.”
Otto Wallin
The final name Hearn mentioned was 31-year-old Swedish fighter Otto Wallin.
Like Zhang, the 31-year-old is also a southpaw, and has 24 wins and one loss on his professional record.
That loss coming against Fury back in 2019.
Wallin outpointed American Rydell Booker in his last fight earlier this year.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
