In a recent interview, Eddie Hearn has commented on the possibility that Anthony Joshua does not seek an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois, and instead eyes the winner of Fury Usyk 2.
There has been much anticipation around a potentially stacked card of boxing in February 22nd, with many believing Anthony Joshua would headline in a rematch against Daniel Dubois, who AJ lost to in devastating fashion, suffering four knockdowns and the first true knockout of his career.
Hearn Skips Dubois, Eyes Fury/Usyk Winner
Eddie Hearn has since revealed that Joshua may not be ready in time for a February date, stating, ‘AJ wants revenge but the only issue is timing. For the rematch to happen in February, training camp will have to start in a couple of weeks. There are always niggles and he had a few so physically it’s just a case of whether AJ is ready to do that…’
He continues, ‘It would be frustrating if we made the Dubois rematch and Fury won. Then we’re sitting there going, ‘Hang on a minute, we’re fighting Dubois but we could have fought Fury in May for the biggest fight in boxing.”’
Anthony Joshua now sits at a record of 28-4, with losses to Andy Ruiz (which he avenged in their rematch), Oleksandr Usyk, and Daniel Dubois. He was set to become a three-time world heavyweight champion if he could overcome Dubois, who himself won the title after defeating Filip Hrgovic on the 5v5 card in Riyadh.
Tyson Fury has now also lost to Usyk, making a fight between the Brits still a worthwhile watch and one of the biggest fights in boxing. Hearn is now seemingly hoping Fury wins the rematch, and AJ-Fury will be next in May, not only because it’s a huge fight, but, in the eyes of many, it is a more winnable fight for AJ than Usyk would be.
It remains to be seen when AJ will return to the ring, and whether it’ll be Dubois, Fury, or somebody else he is facing. It also remains to be seen who will headline the February 22nd card.
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