Anthony Joshua has been backed to replace Oleksandr Usyk in a sensational change of opponents if Tyson Fury can't make a deal for an undisputed world title fight.
Joshua will return to the ring against Jermaine Franklin on April 1 at The O2 arena, while Fury's promoters have set April 29 as the date for their bout with Usyk, which could land at Wembley Stadium. And promoter Eddie Hearn has teased that the two-time former heavyweight champion could step in if a deal can't be reached with Usyk.
Talks appear to have hit a snag between the two heavyweight champions, with promoters set for crunch talks this evening at Arsenal's match with Manchester City in London. Deontay Wilder has been touted as a possible opponent for an outlandish fourth fight despite going 0-2-1 in the pair's trilogy, and Hearn has said that Joshua could be the replacement as well.
