Anthony Joshua in discussions over two-fight deal as surprising name emerges
The British star has not fought since losing to Daniel Dubois last September, but is hoping to return to action this year following successful elbow surgery
Anthony Joshua is in talks with Riyadh Season for a potentially lucrative two-fight deal, according to Eddie Hearn, with Jared Anderson possibly being the Brit's future opponent.
Joshua, the former two-time heavyweight world champion, hasn't stepped into the ring since his defeat to Daniel Dubois last summer. It seemed as though an immediate rematch was on the cards, but 'AJ' sustained minor injuries from their initial bout.
As for Joshua's future, the 35-year-old is aiming to return to competitive boxing before the end of the year, following elbow surgery. As for Dubois, 'Triple D' is set to face Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium on 19 July, with all four world titles on the line in London.
Earlier this week, NoSmoke Sport reported that Joshua was negotiating a three-fight deal with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh. However, in an interview with BoxingScene, Hearn denied those claims, stating: "Yeah, that's not true, we are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season.
"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." As for potential opponents, the boxing promoter added: "We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we'll see what happens with Fury.
"And if we don't fight those guys, we'll fight, and then maybe we'll follow one of those guys next year." Hearn then sensationally revealed that Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson are also in contention. "Two guys that have been discussed, but nothing concrete," Hearn said of Whyte and Anderson.
While Whyte's name comes as no surprise, many have been left shock with Anderson's name being in the running. The American was once dubbed the future of the heavyweight division before suffering a shock knockout defeat to Martin Bakole last August.
Joshua has not given up hope of finally realising a bout with Fury. The Brit is not convinced that his rival's retirement is final and appears confident that a fight could still materialise. The British pair agreed a two-bout deal in 2020 but saw plans scuppered when it was ruled Fury had to permit Deontay Wilder a trilogy fight.
In a recent post uploaded to Snapchat, Joshua shared an image of himself watching Fury fight, saying: "One of these days I'll be standing in the opposite corner. Ready and fully charged spiritually." Fury himself has declared that he has nothing left to prove in the sport.
The 'Gypsy King', has dismissed rumours of a return to boxing, questioning the point of a comeback. "I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? What would I return for? More belts? I've won 22 of them," he said. "I've been rumped, that's it, fair play to them, they got their use out of me. But I'm happy, I am happy, content with what I have achieved and accomplished.
"I've been around the world and back again. And this is what retirement looks like for the Gypsy King, not too shabby." He further added, "I'm in no rush at all, to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. For what? What would I return for? I ask that question. I am retired and I am staying retired. I have nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to return for."
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