Eddie Hearn says it’s a “50-50” risk that Anthony Joshua will struggle earlier than the top of the yr. He states that if AJ fights, it’ll simply be a easy “runout struggle” and an undercard struggle, not a headliner.
No Dangerous Opponents for Joshua
That’s an enormous trace from the Matchroom promoter Hearn that Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) gained’t be combating anybody with even a slight likelihood of inflicting him issues. Which means you possibly can just about rule out these 4:
Arslanbek Makhmudov
Guido Vianello
Martin Bakole
Tony Yoka
A youthful model of Joshua could possibly be safely matched in opposition to these fighters with out an excessive amount of fear. Nonetheless, the place he’s at now, at 35, coming off a devastating fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois and a 13-month layoff, it might be insane to match him in opposition to any of the above fighters.
Vianello Requires Rome Showdown
The 2016 Olympian Vianello (14-3-1, 12 KOs) referred to as out AJ following his fifth-round knockout of beforehand unbeaten Alexis Barriere final Saturday evening, October 11, on the Xfinity Cellular Enviornment in Philadelphia. The large 6’6″ Italy-born Vianello, 31, desires to struggle Joshua at The Coliseum in Rome. That will be an incredible ambiance, however too dangerous for AJ.
Not a Headliner — Only a “Runout Battle”
“If he fights this yr, it’ll simply be a runout struggle, as a result of coming again in a troublesome struggle after being out for a yr and a half, it’s not all the time that straightforward,” stated Eddie Hearn to iFL TV about the potential for Anthony Joshua combating earlier than the top of 2025.
It’s secure to say that whoever Joshua does struggle subsequent, it gained’t be anybody with punching energy that has any shot at denting his chin. That just about guidelines out any of the top-tier contenders, as a result of most of them have energy, and so they’re youthful than Joshua.
Rebuild Fails to Restore Confidence
Hearn had already put Joshua by way of a four-fight rebuild job following his 12-round cut up choice loss to Oleksandr Usyk of their rematch on August 20, 2022. AJ exhausted two years of his profession, combating these fringe-level fighters to revitalize him: Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, Francis Ngannou, and Jermaine Franklin. It didn’t work. When Joshua stepped up in opposition to Dubois final yr in September 2022, he was destroyed.
Fury Battle Nonetheless the Goal
“It’s not concerning the cash this yr. It’s about wrapping your palms and getting into and sticking it on somebody’s jaw. Then getting again in camp and preparing for one more one, and combating Tyson Fury. So, it’s 50-50 whether or not he fights this yr. But when he’ll, he’ll be added to a card. He gained’t be headlining,” stated Hearn.
What Joshua wants is a tall slapper that may emulate Fury’s combating model. Nonetheless, it’s pointless for Hearn to plan as if the struggle in opposition to ‘The Gypsy King’ will occur when he has not stated a phrase about returning to the ring to struggle him.
If he does conform to struggle Joshua, he may desire a fortune to face him. Is he actually price it? Fury has misplaced his final two fights in opposition to Usyk and appeared older than his chronological age of 37.
Except Tyson can discover the Fountain of Youth to drink from, we’re going to see an analogous lackluster efficiency from him in opposition to Joshua if the struggle even occurs. Mentally, he doesn’t appear to be into combating anymore after shedding twice to Usyk. Additionally, he made some huge cash from these fights. His purses for the primary and second fights are reported to be $105 million and $94.4 million, respectively.
Boxing Information 24 » Eddie Hearn Says It’s “50-50” Anthony Joshua Fights Once more in 2025 — Solely a Protected “Runout Battle,” Not a Headliner
Final Up to date on 10/13/2025
