Discussions surrounding Anthony Joshua’s next fight are in the preliminary stages, although Eddie Hearn has a rough idea of the type of opponent his client could face.
Joshua hasn’t set foot in the ring since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September.
Joshua hasn’t boxed since his defeat to Dubois last SeptemberCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Surgery on a lingering elbow injury has kept AJ sidelined for the last 12 months, but conversations surrounding a return to the ring are now being thrashed out.
Joshua’s handlers are fielding offers from Ghana and Nigeria to host his comeback fight.
Meanwhile, Hearn recently revealed that there are approximately 10 boxers in contention to be the Watford powerhouse’s next dance partner.
Pressed by iFL TV on pugilists that feature on the list, Hearn named Tony Yoka, Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba.
Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Yoka has been linked with a fight against AJ for some time, and although the two camps haven’t touched base yet, that could change in the coming weeks.
“The name comes up all the time, I don’t know where it came from, but in a pool of 10 fighters, yes, he is in that pool,” Hearn said of Yoka.
“The first fight back is not going to be [Tyson] Fury, [Oleksandr] Usyk, [Daniel] Dubois, [Joseph] Parker, or Moses [Itauma].
“It’s going to be a proper fight, but it is not going to be against the top five.
“It might not even be against someone in the top 7 or 8.
“But it all depends on the plan. When you are planning something like this, you aren’t just going ‘Oh, who is he fighting first?’
Yoka is among a list of 10 potential opponents for AJCredit: Getty
“We’re planning out probably the next three fights, and who we fight in fight three may even determine what we do in fights one and two.”
Hearn was then asked about Bakole, a man who has repeatedly called for a fight with Joshua.
“Bakole, I would say yes,” Hearn added. “That is not an easy fight.
“You have Ajagba as well, Nigerian, another great fight.
“Martin Bakole, forget people taking the micky out of him and coming in overweight, that is a tough fight, Martin Bakole is a good fighter.
“You just have to ask yourself, having been out of the ring for 15 months or so, is that the right fight to come back to? Maybe [it is].”
Bakole and Ajagba are also being considered for Joshua’s next fightCredit: GettyShould Anthony Joshua fight Martin Bakole or Efe Ajagba?
If Joshua’s next fight is staged in Africa, then squaring off with one of the two biggest heavyweight names from the region makes a lot of sense.
Bakole and Ajagba boxed to a majority draw in May and are currently eagerly awaiting their respective next steps.
Ajagba recently pulled out of an IBF final eliminator with Frank Sanchez, meaning he is free to compete against whoever he wishes, while Bakole was back in the gym immediately after his last outing.
Joshua is expected to fight sometime in early 2026, with dates in January or February being the preference at this stage.
This timeframe is unlikely to be an issue for Bakole or Ajagba.
