Anthony Joshua's Summer Return and Fury Ambitions Confirmed
British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua is poised to make a dramatic return to the ring this July, following a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends. Promoter Eddie Hearn has outlined ambitious plans for Joshua, targeting a bout with Deontay Wilder before a historic showdown with Tyson Fury.
Wilder's Call-Out and Joshua's Response
Joshua made his first major public appearance since the devastating incident in Nigeria, attending Derek Chisora's fight against Deontay Wilder at the O2 Arena last weekend. Wilder secured a split decision victory over Chisora and immediately called out Joshua, shouting, "Now let's get it on" as he passed the Brit. Joshua has expressed enthusiasm for the matchup, with Hearn confirming active negotiations are underway.
Hearn's Strategic Plans for Joshua
Eddie Hearn revealed on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel that Joshua's team is in discussions with key figures, including Turki Alalshikh, to finalise a July fight. "We plan to fight in July, then we want to fight Tyson Fury," Hearn stated. He emphasised Joshua's renewed focus, noting, "I have never seen 'AJ' so fired up for fights. He is actively chasing these fights." Hearn added that Joshua might fight twice more before facing Fury, depending on negotiations.
Fury's Warning and Joshua's Determination
Tyson Fury, who recently came out of retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov, has urged Joshua to avoid risking their potential £150 million bout by fighting Wilder first. "Forget Wilder, the man is a shell of himself," Fury argued, pushing for an immediate clash with Joshua. However, Joshua's camp remains committed to their strategy, with Hearn highlighting the excitement and jeopardy involved in these high-stakes matchups.
Background and Future Prospects
Joshua has not fought since his knockout victory over Jake Paul in December. The car crash in Nigeria, which killed friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, delayed his return. Despite this, Joshua's determination appears stronger than ever, as he plans to attend Fury's upcoming fight and pursue multiple bouts in the coming months. The boxing world eagerly awaits confirmation of these potential blockbuster events, which could redefine the heavyweight division.
