Joshua still heavyweight biggest star – Hearn

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn insists Anthony Joshua remains the biggest draw in heavyweight boxing despite his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

Joshua, who reportedly earned $60m from his bouts against Dubois and Francis Ngannou on Riyadh Season shows last year, is looking to return to the ring this summer.

“To the disappointment of many people, AJ is still the money of the heavyweight division,” Hearn told The Ariel Helwani Show.

“And we can really fight anyone we want. But AJ will do what he’s always done in his career, which is to continue to take the biggest challenges.”

The promoter revealed that discussions about Joshua’s next opponent would commence during the Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol fight week in Riyadh on February 22.

“We haven’t had one conversation yet around Anthony’s next fight,” Hearn said.

“Is it Martin Bakole? Is it Deontay Wilder? Is it the winner of Dubois-Joseph Parker? Is it the winner of Zhilei Zhang-Agit Kabayel? It honestly can be anyone. He wants to fight Dubois. They always want revenge after defeat.”

Joshua, 35, who has lost four of his 32 professional fights, acknowledged time was running out on his career following his defeat to Dubois.

“I should have won but I didn’t and I am going to go again,” Joshua said last month.

“It makes me hungry, makes me want to work harder. Time is of the essence, time is limited, so I just want to put in more work.”

Meanwhile, former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has set his sights on a potential rematch with Joshua after his IBF title clash with Daniel Dubois in Riyadh on Saturday.

Parker, who lost his WBO crown to Joshua in a 2018 unification bout, believes victory over Dubois could pave the way for several high-profile matchups, including a shot at redemption against the British-Nigerian star.