Anthony Joshua in talks for two-fight deal

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua in talks for two-fight deal, Jared Anderson and Dillian Whyte 'discussed'

Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua is in discussion with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season regarding a potential two-fight deal.

Joshua’s most recent two contest have come under the Riyadh Season banner: His second round stoppage win over Francis Ngannou in March 2024 and the fifth round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois six months later. There had been talk about a rematch with Dubois but Joshua instead chose to have surgery on an injured elbow.

Hearn revealed to Boxing Scene earlier this week that the surgery had been a success and that Joshua would return to full training in around six weeks. It was subsequently reported by NoSmokeBoxing that Joshua is in talks with Riyadh Season over a three-fight deal.

“Yeah, that's not true, we are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season,” Hearn told Boxing Scene. “We've been doing that, [Turki Alalshikh] said that on the night of Canelo [vs. William Scull, May 3], when we had our meeting, and that's the plan really. We want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.”

Hearn wants to see what happens in the July 19 rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, both of whom have beaten Joshua, before confirming anything. Tyson Fury has long flirted with a comeback and would immediately be linked to Joshua should he return.

“We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we'll see what happens with Fury,” he said of a potential opponent. “And if we don't fight those guys, we'll fight, and then maybe we'll follow one of those guys next year.”

Hearn confirmed that both Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson have also been mentioned as potential opponents for Joshua.

“Two guys that have been discussed, but nothing concrete,” Hearn said of the rumors.

[CaptainSpacerod]

The only people interested in fights with years past his best, thrice disgraced drug cheat Whyte and former prospect Andersen are AJ’s accountants and VADA

He should either rematch DDD or finally get the big one with Fury signed or sail off into the sunset and be proud of a fantastic career

[Jimmy2025]

The only people interested in fights with years past his best, thrice disgraced drug cheat Whyte and former prospect Andersen are AJ’s accountants and VADA

[jameswilson]

Those are two terrible fights.

[joshj909]

I don't think Anderson is not a terrible comeback fight. Whyte would have to get a reasonable win for anyone to be interested in a rematch between the two of them. There are better options for them both though and it's not the big money maker they may think anymore.

[golden_labrador]

in Whyte you have a shot veteran that AJ has already knocked out, and with Anderson you have an overhyped, disinterested, mainly harmless smaller guy who's probably going through the motions at this point. both fighters in the death throes of their careers for different reasons.

What they do have though are "big" names, whilst also being reasonably safe options for AJ. A great balance and I'm not at all surprised these two are mooted as his next opponents.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn and AJ looking at putting these two dreadful fights via Riyadh Season.

Why can't they put them on themselves?

Low level fights. Cant see Turki agreeing.

Maybe this is why AJ is in Oman.. He likes visiting these middle east countries, flexing the thobe

[Twinkle Toes]

I would be surpsied if Turki accepted this. Mediocre at best.

[golden_labrador]

Hearn and AJ looking at putting these two dreadful fights via Riyadh Season.

Why can't they put them on themselves?

Low level fights. Cant see Turki agreeing.

Maybe this is why AJ is in Oman.. He likes visiting these middle east countries, flexing the thobe

maybe it's bait to lure Fury in eventually. if AJ struggles but wins both fights, Fury might lick his lips. If AJ does what he did to Ngannou, maybe Fury will stay retired. likewise if AJ loses to Whyte/Anderson, it's probably all finished

[keithmoonhangover]

AJ - Whyte would do decent numbers TBF.

[tony1234]

PPV numbers will be colossal

[Jimmy2025]

The guy just got absolutely battered for 5 rounds by Dubois and before that he has fought nobody of note since Usyk. I think the Anderson fight is fine. Dillian fight is good too if they agree not to test.

[THEBUTCH]

Not keen on the prospect of seeing Joshua bludgeoning a very past it Whyte.

At least Anderson offers a new challenge and I suspect AJ will have a few self-doubts after his disastrous defeat to Dubois.

Although nothing seems concrete yet, I have to credit AJ for maintaining some sort of ring activity. Not great, but better than some in his position. Some boxers seem to going missing for well over a year in between bouts.

[mickey1975]

Not keen on the prospect of seeing Joshua bludgeoning a very past it Whyte.

At least Anderson offers a new challenge and I suspect AJ will have a few self-doubts after his disastrous defeat to Dubois.

Although nothing seems concrete yet, I have to credit AJ for maintaining some sort of ring activity. Not great, but better than some in his position. Some boxers seem to going missing for well over a year in between bouts.

He will be over a year himself anytime after September.

[NazNaci1]

An expected choice, which is fair enough.

[KiwiRider]

PPV numbers will be colossal

Oh gosh Tony, I was just thinking "they better not be PPV"
Such a low level 'confidence builder' wouldn't be PPV surely?

[coneye]

Think if AJ has too look at these two for a comeback he really has to have a close hard look at himself with the view of retiring , Just go away spend some money and make a lt more modelling clothes , talk shows or whatever , no need for him to keep getting ko'ed

[Cyclops]

AJ hasn't been what he used to be for a long time. I actually thought he looked the most fluid and switched on I'd ever seen him in the 2nd Usyk fight, and even then probably won like, one or two rounds? All his fights since he's looked frustrated and unsure of himself.

But he likes fighting, and people want to watch him. I don't have any problem with him dropping down a level or two and enjoying the end of his career, especially with Fury still running from him. Why not? They all miss it when they can't do it anymore: and he's not ready to say goodbye to the sport. I can respect that.

We don't have to pay for it, do we? These fights might do the O2 or something, people will be entertained.

I don't know why Whyte is being mentioned though. Nobody gives a fornicate about Dillian Whyte, do they?

[THEBUTCH]

I agree, there is still mileage left in AJ's career. Not everyone bows out at the top of their game...most don't.

Also agree, Whyte has long out stayed his welcome in boxing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn has said 2026 may be AJ's last year in boxing.

Probably won't even fight this year.

[coneye]

Hearn has said 2026 may be AJ's last year in boxing.

Probably won't even fight this year.

For me theres only one thing he should hang around for and thats to see if Fury makes another comeback , dive in and still make a colosal amount , probably get beat but he'll make a fortune for it , nice little swan song and sayonara from both of them ... In a way they both deserve it , between them they have kept british boxing going for years

[Jimmy2025]

I think we all know what Joshua's last two fights will be.

[gilgamesh]

Jared Anderson maybe still on the table. Whyte would certainly be a big rematch if Whyte pulls the upset on Itauma. If he gets smashed by Itauma there'd be no reason for Joshua to fight him again.

[gilgamesh]

Hearn has said 2026 may be AJ's last year in boxing.

Probably won't even fight this year.

For me theres only one thing he should hang around for and thats to see if Fury makes another comeback , dive in and still make a colosal amount , probably get beat but he'll make a fortune for it , nice little swan song and sayonara from both of them ... In a way they both deserve it , between them they have kept british boxing going for years

I think the British fight fans deserve it too. They're kinda neck and neck as far as who has a better record and legacy in Boxing. They need the head to head battle to settle who sits where in British Heavyweight history.

It helps that they'd both make an insane amount of money.

[Jimmy2025]

I still see Fury v Joshua as the career high pay day for both.