BoxRec

A few journos are calling this a warm up for the Fury fight on a bill in Saudi. I wouldn't be surprised if it's Wilder or Wardley. Any thoughts?

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 17:00 A few journos are calling this a warm up for the Fury fight on a bill in Saudi. I wouldn't be surprised if it's Wilder or Wardley. Any thoughts?

No way would he fight Wardley.

I'd think of those two it would be Wilder over Wardley. Given Joshua's recent troubles, Wardley would be sure to test his chin. However, Wilder said he has signed to face someone in January already in a fight outside of the US but maybe that could've been him saying the wrong month.

Another option is Chisora, who pulled out of the December card for an unknown reason and Joshua is effectively Chisora's manager so it would make sense.

Okolie has repeatedly called out Joshua and that should be seen as a solid warm up opponent for Joshua.

The likes of Hrgovic and Zhang would sell reasonably well and while Joshua should win, they could be tough, especially Zhang.

The real favourite should be Miller. Hearn's been flirting with him recently and it wouldn't make sense unless he's an opponent for Joshua. It sells pretty well and Miller is a durable opponent who should guarantee rounds but doesn't appear to have one punch KO power.

Other options might be Lenier Pero, Barriere, Vianello, Joyce or Yoka. I don't know why he's never picked Hughie as an opponent as he guarantees rounds and doesn't have KO power plus the name of Joshua Vs Fury is enough to catch the eye for casuals.

The Feb fight depends on if he thinks fury will fight him.

If he thinks there’s a chance fury will fight him August it will be very safe…best cases would be Hysa or hughie or Joyce or Hunter or pulev or yoka.

If he thinks the fury fight is dead then I think he might fight wardly, wilder, Zhang, hrgovic, DDD…

He isn't going to fight a Queensbury fighter

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 17:00 A few journos are calling this a warm up for the Fury fight on a bill in Saudi. I wouldn't be surprised if it's Wilder or Wardley. Any thoughts?

He was meant to fight Chaney last night on the Rhiyad card as a surprise over 8 rounds so can’t see him jumping in with a big name and jeopardising a Fury fight if that’s planned.

Coco wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 18:38 He isn't going to fight a Queensbury fighter

Why not? If there is no belt and there both on the same broadcast I really don’t see a huge hurdle if it makes sense for both sides.

(It’s not like when there’s a belt and you keep it in house no matter what.)

gregregegg wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 19:56

Coco wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 18:38 He isn't going to fight a Queensbury fighter

Why not? If there is no belt and there both on the same broadcast I really don’t see a huge hurdle if it makes sense for both sides.

(It’s not like when there’s a belt and you keep it in house no matter what.)

Why would FW want to get one of his fighters KO'd?
I'm sure he would take the fight if it was winnable, otherwise why help Fast Car out?

Coco wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 21:01

gregregegg wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 19:56

Coco wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 18:38 He isn't going to fight a Queensbury fighter

Why not? If there is no belt and there both on the same broadcast I really don’t see a huge hurdle if it makes sense for both sides.

(It’s not like when there’s a belt and you keep it in house no matter what.)

Why would FW want to get one of his fighters KO'd?
I'm sure he would take the fight if it was winnable, otherwise why help Fast Car out?

Cause AJ is as big a risk reward as exists? Get good cash, and if you win it does huge things for your profile, rankings, carrer.

nearly every fight vs AJ is winnable (mabey not jake), even if you have a 15% chance, for many thats worth the gamble...

Coco wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 21:01

gregregegg wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 19:56

Coco wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025, 18:38 He isn't going to fight a Queensbury fighter

Why not? If there is no belt and there both on the same broadcast I really don’t see a huge hurdle if it makes sense for both sides.

(It’s not like when there’s a belt and you keep it in house no matter what.)

Why would FW want to get one of his fighters KO'd?
I'm sure he would take the fight if it was winnable, otherwise why help Fast Car out?

He took that risk with Dubois and Dubois won.

It’s a lucrative fight

Hughie Fury? Beatable. Light puncher.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 08:49 Hughie Fury? Beatable. Light puncher.

Then he can say.

“I knocked out Fury”

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 10:32

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 08:49 Hughie Fury? Beatable. Light puncher.

Then he can say.

“I knocked out Fury”

With the big lad at ringside, that would be the perfect tune up. Either that or someone Fury's size.

He won't fight anyone with a pulse, last time out he was put on his backside by DDD and is in obvious decline. I can't really see the point in any fight he has now, let alone want to see one

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 15:12

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 10:32

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 08:49 Hughie Fury? Beatable. Light puncher.

Then he can say.

“I knocked out Fury”

With the big lad at ringside, that would be the perfect tune up. Either that or someone Fury's size.

He's not going to box someone who's never been hurt.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 16:53

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 15:12

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 10:32

Then he can say.

“I knocked out Fury”

With the big lad at ringside, that would be the perfect tune up. Either that or someone Fury's size.

He's not going to box someone who's never been hurt.

OK, why don't you tell us who you think Mr Joshua is going to fight on a massive Saudi card in three months time.

tony1234 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 15:27 He won't fight anyone with a pulse, last time out he was put on his backside by DDD and is in obvious decline. I can't really see the point in any fight he has now, let alone want to see one

I see parallels in the way Eddie kept Conor far far away from danger so as not to jeopardise the Eubank pot of gold.

AJ’s no need to prove anything to anyone and no more mountains to climb. All roads lead to one insanely lucrative cash out fight with Fury and Eddie’s job is to avoid potholes at any cost.

Jake Paul then a mumbling lumbering Delboy makes sense to me.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 17:14

mickey1975 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 16:53

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 15:12

With the big lad at ringside, that would be the perfect tune up. Either that or someone Fury's size.

He's not going to box someone who's never been hurt.

OK, why don't you tell us who you think Mr Joshua is going to fight on a massive Saudi card in three months time.

Nobody. He'll pretend he's injured again and wait for another huge payday.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 18:43

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 17:14

mickey1975 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 16:53
He's not going to box someone who's never been hurt.

OK, why don't you tell us who you think Mr Joshua is going to fight on a massive Saudi card in three months time.

Nobody. He'll pretend he's injured again and wait for another huge payday.

Just for a bit of fun, who would you choose for his warmup?

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025, 13:27

mickey1975 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 18:43

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 17:14

OK, why don't you tell us who you think Mr Joshua is going to fight on a massive Saudi card in three months time.

Nobody. He'll pretend he's injured again and wait for another huge payday.

Just for a bit of fun, who would you choose for his warmup?

I don't know, I don't follow the world scene close enough to pick one.

If AJ wants Fury and fancies beating Wilder, doing so would bring them level against him, Klitschko, Ngannou, Wallin, Johnson and Whyte.

Fury'd say Wilder's shot and be right, but a win'd set up AJ to say "Well let's see what you can do, then". Best PR lure unless Wilder chopped up his plans like a Highland wind turbine.

Rematching Dubois is currently high risk for no apparent reward. And the reward for beating Wardley, if he could, is another crack at Usyk. AJ-Fury's the only big remaining fight for both, but could be a springboard for the winner to challenge the next champ.

Apart from Wardley and maybe a couple others, everyone seems happy to ignore Usyk until he leaves the building.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 16:53

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 15:12

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025, 10:32

Then he can say.

“I knocked out Fury”

With the big lad at ringside, that would be the perfect tune up. Either that or someone Fury's size.

He's not going to box someone who's never been hurt.

Very dangerous fight. Hughie is gonna get his man strength any minute now. If it comes before theAJ fight may God help poor AJ from those man strength thunderbolt right hands. Could easily be shades of Ali vs Liston 2.

Apparently AJ is no longer with Davison and Eddie says they'll fight whoever his excellency tells them to. I'm doubling down on an AJ Wardley fight.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025, 09:28 Apparently AJ is no longer with Davison and Eddie says they'll fight whoever his excellency tells them to. I'm doubling down on an AJ Wardley fight.

If the fury fight isn’t there then aj vs wardly is clearly the fight.

50-50, Wembley, world title. A trillion dollars for wardly.