Anthony Joshua‘s team have named a list of potential opponents for his ring return.
Joshua has not fought since September when he was attempting to become a three-time world champion. In the opposite corner was the in-form heavyweight ruler and IBF belt holder Daniel Dubois.
The young Brit imposed himself early on, knocked Joshua down hard at the end of the first round and then mid-way through the fifth round landing a short right hand from which ‘AJ’ was unable to recover.
It was the end of a run of victories for Joshua in which he had dispatched Otto Wallin, Francis Ngannou and Robert Helenius in impressive fashion having twice failed to beat Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 across 24 hard-fought rounds.
‘AJ’ had been at the top of the division for many years after also winning a Gold medal in the Olympics, so retirement is not far off.
However, the talk is that he will return to the ring, with many fans hoping that it would be for an epic showdown with fellow Brit Tyson Fury. ‘The Gypsy King’ put paid to that by retiring earlier in the week.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn named a shortlist of opponents and confirmed Joshua will fight this summer.
“DEONTAY WILDER, DILLIAN WHYTE, MARTIN BAKOLE, I DON’T KNOW. FOR ME, THE ONES THAT REALLY GET HIM UP FOR IT ARE TYSON FURY AND THE WINNER OF DUBOIS AGAINST [JOSEPH] PARKER.”
Bakole is a top contender and is regarded by some, including himself, as the most avoided heavyweight. He beat hotly rated American prospect Jared Anderson last time out and has long chased Joshua.
Speaking to The Stomping Ground, he recently expressed his confidence in victory were that fight to happen.
“I WILL KNOCK HIM OUT, FIRST ROUND.”
Bakole has been ordered to face Efe Ajagba in order to determine the mandatory challenger for Dubois, who puts his IBF World Title on the line on February 22 against Parker. / secondsout.com
