By Barry Holbrook: Eddie Hearn revealed backup options for Anthony Joshua’s December fight if he can’t negotiate the mega fight against Tyson Fury.
Hearn says he wants to pick a solid top 15 contender and NOT a “gift” level opponent for Joshua. Here are the options Hearn listed on Wednesday:
Filip Hrgovic Zhilei Zhang Otto Wallin
Hearn was still speaking when he was interrupted by the two DAZN hosts for their boxing show, so he didn’t get a chance to finalize his list of potential opponents for Joshua’s December fight.
Of the guys Hearn listed, all of those are potentially dangerous fights for Joshua because they have power and size.
For Joshua to fight any of these three, he will need to have his defense ready because he could get knocked out.
“He wouldn’t want a soft touch. I think that would work against him,” Eddie Hearn told DAZN Boxing Show about Anthony Joshua’s potential opponent for December if the fight against Tyson Fury falls through.
“He’s one of the top 10; you could remove it from the classification yourself. As soon as I start mentioning names, the price goes up. The last thing AJ wants is a gimme fight.
“We are not interested in giving me fights. It has to be an element of risk. Look at the top 15. Dillian Whyte is not a fight for December, but it is a fight for March and the summer, 100%. It’s a big stadium in the UK.
“You have Filip Hrgovic. He just won. I think it was a bad performance from him. Zhilei Zhang looked good. Otto Wallin had a very close fight with Tyson Fury.
“Dillian is a very good fighter; she is a dangerous fighter. I would like to give Dillian a fight in November, and then I would like to do the AJ fight, subject to the Tyson Fury stuff.
“These guys have to get active. Dillian fought in March 2021, and then his next fight was in April 2022. These guys, including AJ, have had one fight a year due to Covid due to mandated rematches. I want them to activate.
“AJ fighting every three months is going to be a tough guy to beat once confidence is lost, once confidence in his training team is lost. I spoke to AJ last night and his message is clear. ‘Yes he is [Fury] Seriously, let’s do it.
“Like I said, originally the plan was December, February, March, and it could be Dillian Whyte or go into Fury or Wilder or all those guys,” Hearn said.
