Anthony Joshua’s next move revealed as Eddie Hearn outlines plan for former world champion

Anthony Joshua is solely focus is securing another world title shot in his next fight as the former champion weighs up his next move. Joshua was in attendance in Riyadh on Saturday night as Joseph Parker secured an explosive second round victory over Martin Bakole –  a late stand-in after Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw from his fight against the New Zealander through illness.

The Briton has not fought since his devastating defeat to Dubois in September last year, taking time out of the ring to heal up from some minor injury problems which shelved plans for an immediate rematch with Dubois. Joshua is expected to return to the ring in the last spring or summer with no clear opponent lined up. Hopes of a long-awaited meeting with Tyson Fury once again look bleak with ‘The Gypsy King’ insisting he has retired from the sport.

While Parker enhanced his credentials even further with Saturday’s destructive win, Eddie Hearn is confident Joshua will be the next man to step in with IBF champion Dubois – or even set up a possible trilogy with WBO, WBA and WBC champion Oleksandr Usyk also watched on from ringside last night.

‘The plan for Joshua hasn’t changed,’ Hearn told Metro via Free Bets. ‘Before he retires he wants to become the heavyweight world champion again, and become a three-time champion, so he is going to want to go after whoever has the belt. Listen, Joshua will never turn down any fight – that’s not the man he is.

‘I get that everyone wants to know about AJ’s next moves, but we haven’t had that conversation yet. ‘There will be plenty of time for these types of conversations. There is no secret that he wanted the Tyson Fury fight – but now he is retired then he has to go for the world championship.’.

Joshua’s old pal Derek Chisora is also hoping for one last dance with one of the sport’s top names after his thrilling win over Otto Wallin earlier this month. The 41-year-old has vowed to fight one more time – fight no50 – and unveiled a list of possible opponents after his win in Manchester that included Joshua.

The two have been friends since Joshua first came through their Finchley gym almost two decades ago and while a meeting between the two would once have been a non-runner, it could now be an option for both men. ‘It’s probably not something I would put to AJ but seeing as they are mates, they may be having that conversation?’ Hearn said.

‘If they fancy it themselves there will be plenty of interest and money involved so I wouldn’t be one to get in the way. You can never really predict Derek.’. Arrow MORE: Daniel Dubois next opponent revealed after illness thwarts Joseph Parker fight.