Eddie Hearn Plans Anthony Joshua Return In March, Open To Making Deontay Wilder Fight Next

Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will likely return in March.

After Joshua lost to Oleksandr Usyk in August, the plan was for him to return in December, but that never came to fruition. Now, the plan for the former champ is to return in March, according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn.

“At the moment, AJ’s plans are he is due to fight in late March, and we’re locking that in,” Hearn told The DAZN Boxing Show.

“Could that be Wilder? Possibly. I’m open to that conversation. In my head, because of the Andy Ruiz situation and everything, it was one for the summer or certainly 2023. We’re more than willing to have that conversation,” Hearn explained.

Although the plan is for Anthony Joshua to return in March, the opponent isn’t known yet. However, Eddie Hearn has a few names in mind, including a potential fight against Deontay Wilder which would be massive.

“Obviously, Dillian Whyte’s win during the weekend sort of opens up that situation for Whyte against AJ, but we also understand that AJ against Deontay Wilder is one of the biggest fights in boxing. So definitely, we’d be open to making that fight next or even the one after,” Hearn added. “Maybe [Wilder’s handlers are] trying to push the Ruiz fight a little bit, or maybe they want it. I have to reach out to Shelly today. There are a lot of options for Deontay Wilder. Firstly, I have the Anthony Joshua fight, which is a massive fight for Deontay Wilder. I also have the Dillian Whyte fight. I’d still like to make Dillian Whyte against Deontay Wilder. I’d be happy to look at both of those fights.”

Anthony Joshua is coming off back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk to lose his heavyweight titles.

Who do you want to see Anthony Joshua fight next?