Eddie Hearn reveals fighters ‘in the mix’ to face Anthony Joshua next as April return set to be announced next week
EDDIE HEARN has revealed the fighters that are “in the mix” to face Anthony Joshua next with his April return set to be confirmed next week.
The two-time heavyweight champion is aiming to bounce back after two crushing defeats to Oleksandr Usyk
Hearn confirmed this week that the boxing star has chosen a new man to train him for his return.
And he also revealed that the Brit will be heading America for his fight camp.
April is the month that AJ is set to pull on the gloves again – although his opponent is yet to be confirmed.
Jermaine Franklin is one of three names in talks to fight Joshua – and the American is ready and waiting to accept a deal.
Franklin, 29, is alongside Aussie southpaw Demsey McKean, 32, and veteran Gerald Washington, 40, are all believed to be in consideration.
His promoter Dmitriy Salita agreed a deal for the American to face Dillian Whyte, 34, in November, which ended in a disputed decision loss.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn held talks with Salita just days ago and although no official paperwork has been exchanged, Franklin is raring to go.
However, now Hearn has thrown two other names into the mix.
When asked by Boxing Social if Franklin was the frontrunner to take on Joshua, Hearn replied: “Not necessarily.
“Otto Wallin is in the mix. Again, the southpaw situation is a problem.
“There are loads of people that put their name forward for that fight. Probably half of the 15 in the world.”
Hearn added: “Filip Hrgovic is another guy. It’s a tough fight for AJ.
“That’s a great fight, but I think you’re more likely to see AJ against Filip Hrgovic for the IBF world title after the Usyk vs Fury fight probably.
“I think it will be [for the vacant IBF belt] by the time it comes around, but again that’s a good fight, a dangerous fight. Any of those guys are a good fight for AJ to come back to.”
Southpaw Wallin, 32, has only one loss on his professional record, and that came to WBC champion Fury back in 2019 in a bloodbath.
Croatian Hrgovic, 30, narrowly beat Zhang Zhilei on the undercard of Joshua’s rematch defeat to Usyk in August to extend his unbeaten run to 15-0.