Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua is in discussion with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season regarding a potential two-fight deal.
Joshua’s most recent two contest have come under the Riyadh Season banner: His second round stoppage win over Francis Ngannou in March 2024 and the fifth round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois six months later. There had been talk about a rematch with Dubois but Joshua instead chose to have surgery on an injured elbow.
Hearn revealed to BoxingScene earlier this week that the surgery had been a success and that Joshua would return to full training in around six weeks. It was subsequently reported by that Joshua is in talks with Riyadh Season over a three-fight deal.
“Yeah, that's not true, we are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season,” Hearn told BoxingScene. “We've been doing that, [Turki Alalshikh] said that on the night of Canelo [vs. William Scull, May 3], when we had our meeting, and that's the plan really. We want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.”
Hearn wants to see what happens in the July 19 rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, both of whom have beaten Joshua, before confirming anything. Tyson Fury has long flirted with a comeback and would immediately be linked to Joshua should he return.
“We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we'll see what happens with Fury,” he said of a potential opponent. “And if we don't fight those guys, we'll fight, and then maybe we'll follow one of those guys next year.”
Hearn confirmed that both Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson have also been mentioned as potential opponents for Joshua.
“Two guys that have been discussed, but nothing concrete,” Hearn said of the rumors.