Hearn discussed Anthony Joshua’s deliberate method to ending his career in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, mentioning high-profile bouts against opponents like Joseph Parker, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois.

Hearn underlined that this is the last year. “We have to acknowledge that, depending on the situation, he may have one to three fights, but that’s a necessary part of the process.”

The two-time world heavyweight champion is now recovering from a slight injury he suffered at Wembley in September when he was knocked out by Dubois in the fifth round. Joshua “had a slight setback after the Dubois fight and isn’t quite ready to return to heavy sparring just yet,” Hearn said, indicating that he is not yet prepared to resume rigorous training.

A rematch with Joseph Parker is looking especially interesting. The two had previously faced off in 2018, with Joshua winning Cardiff a unanimous decision. Parker, who is currently on a strong winning streak against well-known opponents like Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole, is Oleksandr Usyk’s required WBO opponent.

Joshua might potentially have the chance to contend for the WBO championship. Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, expressed enthusiasm for a rematch, stating, “I think the world would love to see him face AJ again. I think Joseph Parker has the potential to be a serious threat based on his recent success.

Hearn outlined two intriguing possibilities for Joshua’s final fights: a highly awaited matchup with Tyson Fury or a rematch with Dubois. However, the latter possibility is complicated by the circumstances surrounding Fury’s retirement. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has stated that Fury alone has the last say in the matter.

Hearn recognized Joshua’s impact on British boxing, saying, “He has changed the face of this sport in our nation.” He has encouraged a new generation of young boxers to follow their aspirations in amateur clubs and normalized fights in stadiums.

“He still has a deep love for boxing and believes he has much left to offer,” Hearn said in closing, expressing hope about Joshua’s future in the sport. This is an important last step, and we’re determined to make it memorable.”

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn insists Anthony Joshua is open to a fight offer from Joseph Parker but is focused on pursuing other high-profile bouts with Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury.

Anthony Joshua has been out of action since September 2024 after suffering a knockout defeat to Dubois and has yet to confirm his next fight.

Dubois and Fury top Anthony Joshua’s fight list

The former two-time heavyweight champion initially wanted a long-awaited showdown with Fury, but the ‘Gypsy King’ has since announced his retirement. Joshua is also keen on an immediate rematch with Dubois, though ‘Dynamite’ is currently in negotiations for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Frank Warren recently urged Joshua to step back into the ring with Parker, seven years after their 2018 fight, which Joshua won. However, Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn suggests that Parker is not at the top of Joshua’s list.

Hearn revealed that Joshua is currently recovering from an injury sustained following his fifth-round knockout by Daniel Dubois in September.

Anthony Joshua’s next fight could be a rematch against Joseph Parker, according to the British heavyweight’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

Hearn revealed that Joshua is currently recovering from an injury sustained following his fifth-round knockout by Daniel Dubois in September that is preventing him from training at full throttle.

The 35-year-old has not fought since being crushed by Dubois at Wembley but was hoping to agree a lucrative showdown with Tyson Fury only for that to fall through when his British rival announced his retirement.

With Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk potentially meeting in a clash that would unify all four main belts, Joshua could take on Parker, who he conclusively outpointed in 2018.

“There was a niggle after the Dubois fight. He went back into camp and he’s just not ready to start punching yet with the same ferocity that he needs to,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“There are two fights for AJ that really stoke the fire. One is the rematch with Daniel Dubois and the other one is Tyson Fury, which is out of our control at the moment.

“We hope that something can kickstart that fight but that’s down to Tyson.

“If he doesn’t fight one of those two guys, he has to fight someone else and he’s going to want to fight someone in the top 10.

“And Joseph Parker right now is on one of the hottest runs. If Dubois doesn’t fight Usyk, I’d like to see him fight Parker as well because Joe deserves a shot at the world heavyweight title.

“If there’s a big unification fight, undisputed, then Joe’s going to need another dance partner and maybe it’s a Joshua rematch.”

Anthony Joshua has not fought since September 2024 but has been bumped up the world heavyweight rankings.

At this stage, the former two-time world champion is in the autumn of his career. His attempt to become three-time world champion ended in disaster last time out when he was knocked down early and then stopped in the fifth round by IBF world champion Daniel Dubois.

Prior to that he had lost back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 but rebuilt with four wins over lower level opposition including Robert Helenius, Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin and UFC star turned boxing novice Francis Ngannou.

Right now ‘AJ’ is assessing his options. One possibility is a rematch with Dubois, though many in the boxing world hoped he would finally have a showdown with long time rival Tyson Fury.

Fury put paid to that however when he announced his retirement in early January, just days after his own second straight loss to Usyk – though many believe that was a negotiating tactic to get more money for a fight with ‘AJ.’

Back in February, Joshua was ranked by the WBC, a belt he has never won, at 5th below Agit Kabayel, Zhilei Zhang, Lawrence Okolie and Matin Bakole.

The rankings have been updated for March and Usyk remains at the top, though Joshua has moved up to the second spot only behind number one Lawrence Okolie, a former WBC cruiserweight champion who has only had one fight at heavyweight. Kabayel now holds the Interim belt, and losses for Bakole and Zhang in February have seen them drop down.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has said he would be open to an interim title fight between ‘AJ’ and Kabayel, meaning the Brit’s best route back to the top may be to roll the dice against the dangerous body puncher and hope for the full title to become vacant when Usyk retires in the near future.