Anthony Joshua's team has named potential opponents for his upcoming ring return. The former heavyweight champion plans to step back into the ring this summer after his recent setback.
Joshua's last fight didn't go as planned. In September, he tried to become a three-time world champion against Daniel Dubois. Things looked rough from the start when Joshua got knocked down at the end of the first round. Dubois then stopped him in the fifth with a short right hand.
Before that loss, Joshua had picked up some good wins. He beat Otto Wallin, Francis Ngannou, and Robert Helenius in impressive fashion. These victories came after two tough losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, where Joshua fought hard for 24 rounds.
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, shared some names they're looking at for Joshua's next fight:
"We're looking at Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Martin Bakole, and maybe the winner of Dubois vs Parker. We want to get Anthony back in the ring this summer."
Retirement isn't on the cards just yet for the Olympic gold medalist, but it's not far off either.
Many fans hoped to see an epic showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury. But Fury announced his retirement earlier this week, putting that dream fight on hold for now.
One interesting potential opponent is Martin Bakole. He's gained a reputation as the most avoided heavyweight after beating highly-rated American prospect Jared Anderson. Bakole didn't mince words when talking about a possible fight with Joshua. He boldly claimed, "I will knock him out, first round."
Right now, Bakole has been ordered to fight Efe Ajagba. The winner of that bout will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF title currently held by Daniel Dubois.
Speaking of Dubois, he's set to defend his IBF World Title against Joseph Parker on February 22. The winner of that fight could also be in the mix for Joshua's next opponent.
Joshua's team will have to weigh their options carefully. They'll want an opponent who can help Joshua get back on track while still providing a good challenge. With several interesting matchups possible, boxing fans will be eager to see who Joshua faces next in his quest to regain his spot at the top of the heavyweight division.
