By Brian Webber: Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will be fighting three times in 2023, in April, July & December, against quality fighters in the heavyweight division.
Hearn states that he’ll be closing a deal in 48 hours for Joshua’s April 1ast opponent, who he says is a “quality heavyweight,” who the boxing public will be “happy” with.
If that’s the case, it means that the former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) WON’T be fighting Demsey McKean in April because the reaction from fans of him being the frontrunner for AJ’s next fight has been negative.
Fans don’t want to see Joshua face the unbeaten 32-year-old McKean, whose decade-long resume is filled with victories over fluff opposition.
Acceptible options for Joshua’s April 1st tune-up
- Jared Anderson
- Joseph Parker
- Andy Ruiz Jr
- Deontay Wilder
- Zhilei Zhang
- Bakhodir Jalolov
- Frank Sanchez
- Arslanbek Makhmudov
Non-acceptable options for Joshua
- Otto Wallin
- Hughie Fury
- Demsey McKean
- Agit Kabayel
- Derek Chisora
- Dillian Whyte
- Fabio Wardley
- Lucas Browne
“He will be fighting a real fight, it will be against a quality heavyweight, and that is being closed at the moment. We’re not taking an easy fight. I think you’ll be happy with the opponent. If we get the guy we want,” said Eddie Hearn to iFL TV about Anthony Joshua’s opponent for his next fight on April 1st on DAZN.
“He’s going to fight three times this year. April the 1st, July, and December. That’s the plan. He needs this to be a competitive fight [in April], and then move on to a big stadium fight and close the year with a massive fight and hopefully a fight that will lead him to the world heavyweight championship because that is the aim. To become a three-time heavyweight champion.
“He’ll be heading to America very soon. There’s a lot of speculation about his new trainer, which has been selected. April 1st is the proposed date for his return at the O2 Arena. There are a number of opponents, and the speculation is now rife, with Otto Wallin, Demsey McKean and I’ve seen loads of people linked.
“As we sit here, there is no opponent signed for Anthony Joshua. So,I can’t tell you who it’s going to be, but we expect to close that deal in the next 48 hours. The first time in seven years back at the O2 [for Joshua].
“This is a world class trainer. Everyone is very happy with the setup,” said Hearn about Joshua’s new trainer in America. This is the first time he’s doing a camp in America with an American team.
“When you see people that write him off, and you see people who don’t rate him anymore, and when you see people who think there is no way back for him, that’s what’s going to inspire Anthony to rise again.
“I still believe he’s one of the best heavyweights in the world and can be the best heavyweight in the world, but he’s got to prove it and he’s got to come back with a good performance,” said Hearn.