Eddie Hearn has outlined the two fights he believes would most motivate Anthony Joshua, a rematch with Daniel Dubois and the long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury. While the landscape of the heavyweight division has shifted significantly since these comments were made in March 2025, the pursuit of top-tier opponents remains central to Anthony Joshua’s career trajectory.
Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) suffered a shock brutal defeat to Daniel Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs) in their September 2024 showdown, with the younger fighter stopping him in brutal fashion after dropping the betting favourite multiple times early on. The loss, which saw Dubois retain his IBF heavyweight title via a fifth-round knockout at Wembley Stadium, derailed Joshua’s momentum after three straight stoppage wins and left him seeking redemption in a rematch.
“So I think that there’s two fights for AJ that really stoke the fire,” Hearn said.
“One is the rematch with Daniel Dubois, and the other one is Tyson Fury, which is out of our control at the moment, but we hope that something can kickstart that fight, but that’s down to Tyson.”
A fight with Fury has long been discussed but remains out of Joshua’s hands as Fury announced his retirement following back-to-back losses to AJ’s former foe, Oleksandr Usyk. If neither of those options materialise, Hearn believes Joshua will still need a top-tier opponent for his Summer return.
The Dubois Rematch and its Aftermath
The initial clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium was a pivotal moment in the heavyweight division. Dubois, then the IBF heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt, entered the ring as the underdog but delivered a dominant performance. He floored Joshua multiple times, in the first, third, fourth, and ultimately the fifth round, securing a brutal knockout victory. This stunning upset not only marked Joshua’s fourth professional loss but also solidified Dubois’s position as a legitimate force in the heavyweight landscape.
Despite Hearn’s initial desire for an immediate rematch, it was later revealed by Dubois’s promoter, Frank Warren, that no rematch clause was in place for the Joshua-Dubois fight. While both fighters expressed interest in a second encounter, Joshua’s medical team advised against an early return, citing the need for recovery after a “heavy night at the office.” Joshua eventually returned to the ring in December 2025, stopping Jake Paul in the sixth round, and is scheduled to fight Kristian Prenga in July 2026.
Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois continued his active career. After his victory over Joshua, Dubois faced Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated rematch for the undisputed heavyweight championship on July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium. Usyk, who had previously defeated Dubois in August 2023, once again proved his dominance, knocking out Dubois in the fifth round to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. This fight was a clear, one-sided contest, with Usyk controlling the pace and ultimately delivering a decisive left hook to secure the knockout.
Following his second loss to Usyk, Dubois rebuilt his momentum. On May 9, 2026, he faced Fabio Wardley for the WBO World Heavyweight title in Manchester, United Kingdom. In a thrilling contest described by promoter Frank Warren as one of the best heavyweight fights he had ever put on, Dubois overcame two early knockdowns to stop Wardley in the 11th round via technical knockout, becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion. Dubois’s current professional record stands at 23 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws, with 22 of his wins coming by knockout.
The Elusive Fury Clash and Heavyweight Landscape
The prospect of an all-British mega-fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has captivated boxing fans for years. However, as Hearn noted, the fight has often been “out of our control.” Tyson Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) had indeed announced his retirement following back-to-back decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. These defeats saw Usyk unify the heavyweight division and solidify his status as the premier fighter.
Despite his brief retirement, Fury made a comeback, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov by unanimous decision on April 11, 2026. Immediately after this return fight, Fury called out Joshua, who was ringside. Excitingly, reports from late April 2026 indicate that the long-awaited Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight is finally a “done deal” for the fourth quarter of 2026, with a likely broadcast on Netflix. This monumental clash, expected to be the biggest fight in British history, is reportedly being facilitated by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.
Before facing Fury, Joshua is scheduled for a tune-up fight against Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This fight will be Joshua’s first against a legitimate heavyweight opponent since his loss to Dubois. The implications of a Fury-Joshua fight are immense, potentially crowning a definitive British heavyweight king and reshaping the division for years to come. Fury, who was unbeaten before his encounters with Usyk, now holds a professional record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.
Joseph Parker’s Resurgence and Future Prospects
One of the strongest contenders for a top-tier opponent for Anthony Joshua, as highlighted by Hearn, was Joseph Parker. Parker (36-4, 24 KOs) has indeed been on an “incredible run of form,” rebuilding his career with significant victories. After the article’s publication, Parker continued his impressive streak. He secured a knockout win over Martin Bakole in the second round on February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a WBO Interim World Heavyweight championship fight.
The original article mentioned Parker was supposed to get a shot at the world title against Dubois. Indeed, a fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker for the IBF heavyweight title was scheduled for February 22, 2025, in Riyadh. However, this fight was ultimately cancelled. Parker’s impressive run, which also included a unanimous decision victory over Deontay Wilder in December 2023 and a majority decision win over Zhilei Zhang in March 2024, had positioned him strongly for another world title opportunity.
Parker’s momentum, however, hit a snag in October 2025 when he suffered a technical knockout loss to Fabio Wardley in the 11th round in a WBO Interim World Heavyweight championship fight in London. This defeat marked Parker’s fourth professional loss. Despite this recent setback, Parker’s overall record and his string of high-profile victories against top contenders demonstrate his continued relevance in the heavyweight division. He currently holds a professional record of 36 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws, with 24 wins by knockout.
“Parker right now is on one of the hottest runs,” Hearn said. “If Dubois doesn’t fight Usyk, I’d like to see Dubois fight Parker as well, because I think Joe deserves a shot at a world heavyweight title.
But, obviously, if there’s a big unification fight for undisputed, then Joe is going to need another dance partner, and maybe it’s a Joshua rematch.”
Joshua beat Parker back in 2018, taking his world title from him, so a rematch years down the line would add an extra chapter to their heavyweight story. While a direct rematch with Dubois did not immediately materialize for Joshua, and the Fury fight is now signed, Parker remains a compelling opponent for future consideration, especially given his proven ability to challenge top-tier heavyweights. Joshua’s next move remains unclear beyond his July 2026 tune-up and the confirmed Fury clash, but Hearn insists that whoever he fights next, it will be someone from the division’s top tier.
