Anthony Joshua’s quest to become a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion might see an exciting development later this year.
After bouncing back from consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 with five straight victories, AJ (28-3) has forcefully returned to the title scene.
His recent triumphs over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou have convinced many experts that the British icon has reclaimed his formidable form, setting the stage for another shot at world titles and his aspirations for undisputed status.
Joshua is poised to face the victor of the upcoming Tyson Fury vs Usyk unification match on May 18. However, with Fury and Usyk obligated for a rematch, Joshua might have to wait until 2025 for that opportunity.
In the interim, speculation suggests a world title might be vacated following the Fury vs Usyk bout, adding intrigue to Joshua’s next steps.
Spencer Oliver, a talkSPORT analyst, discussed with Simon Jordan on YouTube his prediction that the IBF title would be vacated within 14 days after the Fury vs Usyk fight. He anticipates Filip Hrgovic, the current mandatory challenger, will contend with Daniel Dubois for the vacant title on June 1.
Oliver stated, “Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic was the fight that was going ahead anyway without the IBF title on the line. I believe the IBF title will become vacant and they will make that fight, with the winner – and here’s the twist – boxing Anthony Joshua. That’s the way the landscape looks or sounds.”
Furthermore, Oliver predicts Joshua’s next title fight will be hosted at Wembley Stadium, a significant shift given the recent trend of major bouts occurring in Saudi Arabia.
He suggested, “I’m saying September, with Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn doing a 5 vs 5 again in September – that will be at Wembley Stadium – and I believe that’s where Anthony Joshua fights again and probably fights for the world title against whoever, maybe the winner of Hrgovic/Dubois or maybe the winner of Fury vs Usyk pending on how that fight goes, depending about the rematch clause, if that goes or not. But I believe Joshua fights for a world title, Wembley Stadium in September.”
