Anthony Joshua is set for his competitive return in December as he starts the long road back to a world title chance with a fight against a 'top 15' opponent taking place in the UK.
Two defeats by Oleksandr Usyk has left the British heavyweight needing to rebuild his world championship credentials. Promoter Eddie Hearn has laid down a plan for AJ's return to the top including a UK fight in December and a bout against Dillian Whyte next year.
AJ is keen for a re-match against Whyte for the first time since knocking out his fellow Brit in 2015. Tyson Fury also knocked out Whyte in his last fight back in April.
Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder also wants to fight AJ, but promoter Hearn said the British fighter will face a lower ranked opponent first.
"We're all gunning for a December return," Hearn told the Daily Mail. "It's not confirmed, but that's where everyone's minds are at. We're not booking a venue, but the conversations - as recently as yesterday – was December for his return. I don't want to start mentioning names, but it's a top 15 fight.
"It will be someone credible, who AJ can come back, express himself against and build on what he's learning in camp. He can then build himself back up to fighting for a heavyweight title again."
The O2 Arena in London has been a happy hunting ground for Joshua winning all of his seven fights at the venue and Hearn has hinted that the British heavyweight might return to the familiar location.
"I'd like to bring him home,' Hearn added. "Look, there's the Zhang (Zhilei) fight. A lot of people think he beat Filip Hrgovic and that's a big fight in China, but I just feel that the next fight should be in the UK. It will be at the O2 or Manchester Arena, we won't do a stadium fight."
Hearn added that Joshua and Whyte will each fight before the end of this year before meeting in a British heavyweight stadium next year.
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Whyte was undefeated in 16 fights before being knocked out by AJ in 2015 and both fighters are keen for a re-match.
Hearn added: "We're talking to Dillian about his next fight in November, other people are making offers, but I see that fight in the spring or summer 2023 in a stadium
'It's a massive fight. He (Joshua) 100 per cent wants to fight Dillian Whyte."
