Anthony Joshua’s Highly Anticipated Return to the Ring to be Announced This Week
Anthony Joshua (AJ) is set to announce his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring this week. AJ has not competed since his impressive two-round knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March.
Joshua, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion, is on track for a domestic clash with fellow Brit, Daniel Dubois. A late September return is expected, with promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting that the identity of AJ’s next opponent will be revealed in the coming days.
Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing chief, told SecondsOut: “Never rule anything out, but right now we’re focused on Daniel Dubois for the IBF world title. The aim of Anthony Joshua is to fight for the world heavyweight title as soon as possible. The only one of the names mentioned that could offer that opportunity is Daniel Dubois with the IBF. If the IBF title’s not on the line, then maybe Dubois is not as much of a focus.”
Hearn added, “We’re in final negotiations with His Excellency and the team at Selah. Obviously talking to George Warren and Spencer Brown and we’re all working together on that card. Very hopeful that everything will be in order to announce the entire card next Wednesday in London.”
Daniel Dubois, known as ‘Triple D’, recently claimed the interim heavyweight title with a surprising eighth-round stoppage of the previously undefeated Filip Hrgovic. Dubois is confident that he can halt AJ’s career resurgence with another upset victory.
“It’s a dream,” Dubois said about the highly anticipated all-London bout. “Especially after having to come back from defeats and challenging for a world title. I now have a chance to win the title outright, and that’s what I want. I will demolish AJ, from here I can only get even better.”