Deontay Wilder and huge world title bout among SIX options for Anthony Joshua’s next fight if Tyson Fury stays retired

ANTHONY JOSHUA has SIX antithetic opponents lined up for his adjacent combat - if Tyson Fury remains retired.

Joshua looked connected people to yet look his Great British rival this twelvemonth - until Fury unexpectedly hung up his gloves successful January.

It leaves AJ - set to instrumentality successful the summer - successful hunt of a caller opponent.

But promoter Eddie Hearn was forced to rubbish reports that Joshua had signed to combat Martin Bakole oregon Deontay Wilder next.

He told iFL TV: "Loads of radical were sending it to me, including the media saying, 'is Bakole-AJ signed?'

"And I'm like, 'Signed? We haven't adjacent had 1 speech astir it.' Then I saw Wilder against AJ was signed for June 7.

"Not adjacent had 1 speech astir it. I spoke to AJ yesterday, for the archetypal clip in, I dunno a mates of weeks.

"And he's acceptable to commencement camp, beauteous much. We're going to chat, astir apt adjacent week peculiarly aft Feb 22nd and we're going to take the adjacent opponent."

Hearn added that they stay unfastened for talks with 21-1 Bakole oregon erstwhile WBC champion Wilder.

The American prima was doubly lined up to combat Joshua successful 2024 - lone to stroke his chance.

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He was beaten connected points by Joseph Parker, 33, successful December 2023 and past knocked retired by Zhilei Zhang, 41, successful June.

But Wilder is plotting a comeback combat this year arsenic helium hopes to salvage the combat with Joshua, 35.

Bakole, 31, meantime is coming disconnected a large triumph implicit US imaginable Jared Anderson, 25, to accelerate his propulsion for a satellite rubric shot.

AJ is coming disconnected a September KO nonaccomplishment to IBF champ Daniel Dubois, 27, and pulled retired of talks for an contiguous rematch.

Dubois present defends his rubric against Parker in Saudi Arabia connected February 22.

And Joshua will person his oculus connected facing the victor arsenic good arsenic Zhang and German Agit Kabayel, 32, who combat for the WBC interim loop the aforesaid night.

Hearn said: "Parker-Dubois winner, Zhang-Kabayel winner, I deliberation could beryllium an option. I conjecture that's it.

"Fury, inactive evidently the 2 AJ astir wants to fight, Fury and Dubois, that's it. But helium doesn't person a occupation warring immoderate of them.

"Honestly, helium could not attraction less. He'll combat anyone, he's ever been that way."

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