“Must fight Fury”: Anthony Joshua’s future from Hearn’s perspective

Even after his devastating loss to Daniel Dubois last Saturday, Anthony Joshua remains one of the biggest names in boxing and what he does next is a hot topic.

In a new interview after last weekend, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn told DAZN that he sees two clear options for Joshua: a rematch against Dubois or finally facing Fury.

While Hearn believes Joshua will seek a rematch with Dubois, he seems to believe two fights with Fury next year would be the bigger and better option.

“I think the next step is probably the most important of his career so far. I think (Joshua), as he proved with Ruiz and Usyk, will only want one thing, and that is a rematch against Daniel Dubois and right the wrong,” Hearn said.

“We have in our contract … the option to do the rematch. I'm pretty sure from all my conversations so far with (Turki Alalshikh) – and we'll see him later today with AJ – he wants the immediate rematch. Daniel Dubois probably won't have a problem with the immediate rematch; he just won the fight by stoppage and it's the biggest fight for him.

“Do We Do you want the rematch? Is it the right move next?If we take away AJ's emotions, the fighter in him and his pride, do we wait until December 21st and see what happens with Tyson Fury or do we jump right back into Daniel Dubois? Daniel Dubois will probably fight in February. Are we ready to go in February? Is that the right move for us? That's the next decision.

“For me, we have to fight Tyson Fury before it’s over.”

Hearn added that he believes Joshua, 34, has “between one and three fights” left in his boxing career.

“He doesn't want to give up the sport. He loves it! But we as a team will make sure he leaves the sport at the right time,” Hearn said. “You leave when you're deteriorating and when it shows in the gym, when you're not training well, when you get injured sparring, etc. And none of that happens, by the way. He was at this camp and they said, 'Wow, our best camp, best shape,' everything.

“So if Tyson Fury loses to Oleksandr Usyk, I would advise (Fury and Joshua) to have two fights in 2025 and then sail off into the sunset. May the best man win. If Fury beats Usyk, AJ can fight Fury for the unified heavyweight championship of the world.”