Anthony Joshua confirms date and four-man shortlist for his next fight
Former world champion Anthony Joshua has hinted that he will return to the ring against one of the names competing in the blockbuster Matchroom vs Queensbury event in June
Anthony Joshua has teased a mega-fight with Deontay Wilder at Wembley Stadium in September.
The British heavyweight, 34, is plotting a path to reclaim the world titles he lost against Oleksandr Usky back in September 2021 and will return to the ring in the autumn after demolishing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou before Christmas.
Joshua is unable to challenge for a world title with Usyk and Tyson Fury set to meet in an undisputed clash in Saudi Arabia next month. But AJ has his sights set on one of the big names set to compete in the Matchroom vs Queensberry five on five event.
That could pit him against the likes of Wilder or fellow Brit Daniel Dubois - but Joshua's ultimate goal is still a domestic tear-up with Fury.
He told talkSPORT: “Whenever they tell me there's a date, you know I'll be ready 100 per cent. It's gonna be in London, Wembley Stadium. This is what I'm being told. If that's what they say, they normally back their word so let's go with that. Wembley, September 20 or 21.”
He continued: “On June 1 in Saudi Arabia they've got the 5 vs 5 card. You've got Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois, and you've got Zhilei Zhang vs Deontay Wilder. So providing one of those looks good - the one who looks the best, His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh said to me, 'I want you to fight [him].'
“What he says is, 'In the future I want people to look back at your record and say that you took on the best.' I said, 'Now you're speaking my language.' So out of that pool, I believe that's who I'm gonna be fighting, one of those.
“We're on the same page and he's on the same page as the fans as well. He's trying to deliver what the fans want, I know they want that big fight with Tyson Fury and he's working on it.
“But Fury's got his obligations with Oleksandr Usyk so I've gotta make sure I stay focused and disciplined, keep steamrolling through opponents so I can get closer and closer to having the opportunity of me vs Tyson Fury.”
Joshua also tipped Usyk, who beat him twice previously, to come out on top against Fury in next month's highly anticipated undisputed clash.
“I've fought Usyk so I can only speak on what I've experienced with him - phenomenal fighter, I would say he's gonna do a really good job.
“I've never fought Fury, so I can't speak on what it's like to face him. Only speaking on what I know, I have to say Usyk will be victorious.”
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