Eddie Hearn has revealed a potential opponent for Anthony Joshua as he looks to announce his next fight in the coming days.
The former world champion is widely known to be targeting a fight for August as he looks to kick on from his win over Jermaine Franklin in April. It was an important victory for Joshua and his first training camp under coach Derrick James, following his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Eddie Hearn has openly spoken about ‘AJ’ targeting a fight with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia for the end of the year, but admits that the 33-year-old wants another opponent lined up before heading to the Middle East. The promoter has shared that undefeated German Agit Kabayel (23-0) is a possible alternative after Dillian Whyte turned down an offer from Matchroom.
READ: Anthony Joshua's coach promises 'different guy' ahead of next fight announcement
“[Agit Kabayel] may be on a long list. Anyone in the top fifteen. I don’t mind being honest - AJ’s going to fight Deontay Wilder in December. That’s our 100% focus,” Hearn told Boxing Social.
“So he needs a fight against someone who’s going to allow him to work on, under the lights, everything he’s been working on with Derrick James. There’s no point fighting a fight that’s against someone he’s going to take out in a round. And it’s difficult to fight an elite, top three or five guy when you’re fighting Deontay Wilder four months later.
“So we’re in a bit of a difficult position. I don’t think Saudi want him to fight, because they want him to be ready for Deontay Wilder in December. But we as a team, Derrick James, Anthony and 258 Management all feel that it would be beneficial for his preparation to have that fight in August.”
Kayabel is ranked in the top 15 with all the major organisations and would allow Joshua four months to recover ahead of the possible event in Saudi Arabia, which could see Tyson Fury, Usyk, Wilder and Joshua all on the same card. Hearn is optimistic of finalising a deal for ‘AJ’ to fight Wilder but admits that Joshua only has a few days to announce his next opponent.
“There’s two or three opponents that we’re looking at but I’m not going to tell you who they are. But we need to do it this week,” Hearn told iFL TV.
“Saudi definitely doesn’t want us to fight in August, but we want to fight in August and I think it would be good for his career to fight in August, so that’s still the plan.”
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