ANTHONY JOSHUA has SIX different opponents lined up for his next fight – if Tyson Fury remains retired.
Joshua looked on course to finally face his Great British rival this year – until Fury unexpectedly hung up his gloves in January.
Anthony Joshua could still fight Deontay Wilder[/caption]
It leaves AJ – set to return in the summer – in search of a new opponent.
But promoter Eddie Hearn was forced to rubbish reports that Joshua had signed to fight Martin Bakole or Deontay Wilder next.
He told iFL TV: “Loads of people were sending it to me, including the media saying, ‘is Bakole-AJ signed?’
“And I’m like, ‘Signed? We haven’t even had one conversation about it.’ Then I saw Wilder against AJ was signed for June 7.
“Not even had one conversation about it. I spoke to AJ yesterday, for the first time in, I dunno a couple of weeks.
“And he’s ready to start camp, pretty much. We’re going to chat, probably next week particularly after Feb 22nd and we’re going to choose the next opponent.”
Hearn added that they remain open for talks with 21-1 Bakole or former WBC champion Wilder.
The American star was twice lined up to fight Joshua in 2024 – only to blow his chance.
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He was beaten on points by Joseph Parker, 33, in December 2023 and then knocked out by Zhilei Zhang, 41, in June.
But Wilder is plotting a comeback fight this year as he hopes to salvage the fight with Joshua, 35.
Bakole, 31, meanwhile recently beat US prospect Jared Anderson, 25, to accelerate his push for a world title shot.
AJ is coming off a September KO loss to IBF champ Daniel Dubois, 27, and pulled out of talks for an immediate rematch.
Dubois now defends his title against Parker in Saudi Arabia on February 22.
And Joshua will have his eye on facing the winner as well as Zhang and German Agit Kabayel, 32, who fight for the WBC interim belt the same night.
Hearn said: “Parker-Dubois winner, Zhang-Kabayel winner, I think could be an option. I guess that’s it.
“Fury, still obviously the two AJ most wants to fight, Fury and Dubois, that’s it. But he doesn’t have a problem fighting any of them.
“Honestly, he could not care less. He’ll fight anyone, he’s always been that way.”
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Martin Bakole has called to fight Joshua[/caption]
Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker are both options for AJ to fight[/caption]
Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel are also on the shortlist[/caption]
