AJ to return against Dillian Whyte in 2023
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn revealed he has put together a plan to rebuild the former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua’s career.
33-year-old Joshua has not won a fight since he knocked out Kubrat Pulev in 2020, having suffered back to back losses against outstanding Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
The former two-time heavyweight champion is also without a permanent trainer, having split with long-time coach Rob McCracken following his first loss to Usyk, then he hired American coach Robert Garcia as a replacement, but after his second consecutive loss to the Ukrainian, who reigned undisputed at cruiserweight and is now unified at heavyweight, it seems Joshua will be looking elsewhere once again.
From Watford, AJ has been travelling around the U.S. looking for a new trainer to work with and has been spending time at Derrick James’ gym, who trains Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence Jr, but as of yet nothing has been announced.
But he will need to decide quickly, as promoter Eddie Hearn has put together a plan to reinstate Joshua back to the top of the heavyweight division in 2023.
“The plan now is to rebuild him to become a three-time heavyweight world champion,” Hearn said on the DAZN boxing show.
“It’s all very well being brave, listening to Twitter, going out and fighting Deontay Wilder [next]. But there has to be a plan, a smart plan.
“A smart plan is he wants to return against a top 15 guy in a credible fight and return in the summer against probably Dillian Whyte.
“And then move forward against Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury in a mega-fight in the ultimate 2023.
“To me, the key here is to see him box three times this year.”
Hearn went on to discuss who in the top 15 Joshua might fight next, as he said: “We are down to three or four opponents.
“He is ready to start camp and will likely start that camp this week.
“Honestly, I couldn’t give Anthony Joshua an opponent he will turn down. It’s all about putting together the right training team.”
One of the more likely options could be former Fury foe, Otto Wallin, as he has previously revealed that his promoter, Dmitry Salita, has been in contact with Hearn.
