Hearn discussed Anthony Joshua’s deliberate method to ending his career in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, mentioning high-profile bouts against opponents like Joseph Parker, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois.
Hearn underlined that this is the last year. “We have to acknowledge that, depending on the situation, he may have one to three fights, but that’s a necessary part of the process.”
The two-time world heavyweight champion is now recovering from a slight injury he suffered at Wembley in September when Dubois knocked him out in the fifth round. Joshua “had a slight setback after the Dubois fight and isn’t quite ready to return to heavy sparring just yet,” Hearn said, indicating that he is not yet prepared to resume rigorous training.
A rematch with Joseph Parker is looking especially interesting. The two had previously faced off in 2018, with Joshua winning Cardiff a unanimous decision. Parker, who is currently on a strong winning streak against well-known opponents like Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole, is Oleksandr Usyk’s required WBO opponent.
Joshua might potentially have the chance to contend for the WBO championship. Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, expressed enthusiasm for a rematch, stating, “I think the world would love to see him face AJ again. I think Joseph Parker has the potential to be a serious threat based on his recent success.
Hearn outlined two intriguing possibilities for Joshua’s final fights: a highly awaited matchup with Tyson Fury or a rematch with Dubois. However, the latter possibility is complicated by the circumstances surrounding Fury’s retirement. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has stated that Fury alone has the last say in the matter.
Hearn recognized Joshua’s impact on British boxing, saying, “He has changed the face of this sport in our nation.” He has encouraged a new generation of young boxers to follow their aspirations in amateur clubs and normalized fights in stadiums.
“He still has a deep love for boxing and believes he has much left to offer,” Hearn said in closing, expressing hope about Joshua’s future in the sport. This is an important last step, and we’re determined to make it memorable.”