Anthony Joshua is considering his options for his next fight, but fans have made it clear that there is only one name they want to see in the ring with him. Joshua was originally scheduled to face Deontay Wilder, but after Wilder's loss to Joseph Parker, the plans fell through. Now, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has presented a three-man shortlist of potential opponents, including Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, and Filip Hrgovic. However, fans are adamant that Hrgovic is the only choice that makes boxing sense.
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Three-Man Shortlist
Anthony Joshua is currently exploring three potential fights for his next bout. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, revealed that the preferred option is to fight the winner of the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk matchup. Additionally, Hearn mentioned Filip Hrgovic, Zhilei Zhang, and Francis Ngannou as alternative options. Hearn expressed interest in a world title fight against Hrgovic and acknowledged the massive potential of a Ngannou showdown. Zhang, who recently secured consecutive stoppage wins, also remains in the mix.
The Fury-Usyk Rematch and the Vacant Title
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have reportedly agreed to a two-fight deal, leading to speculation about a potential rematch between the pair. However, if the rematch were to happen, it would likely result in the winner losing the IBF title due to their inability to face mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic. This situation presents an opportunity for Joshua, as he could step in to face Hrgovic for the vacant title.
The Ngannou Factor and Zhang's Rise
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion, ventured into the world of boxing in October and made his debut against Tyson Fury. Despite dropping the WBC champ, Ngannou controversially lost the fight on points. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old expressed interest in continuing his boxing career and has his sights set on a rematch with Fury, as well as a potential matchup with Joshua. Meanwhile, Zhilei Zhang, coming off impressive wins over Joe Joyce, is also a viable option for Joshua's next fight.
Fans Demand Hrgovic
After Eddie Hearn revealed the three-man shortlist, fans voiced their opinion and called for Joshua to face Filip Hrgovic. Many fans believe that choosing Hrgovic would be the best decision for Joshua's legacy and the pursuit of a third world championship title. The consensus among fans is that Hrgovic is the only option that truly makes boxing sense.
Filip Hrgovic celebrates a victory, potentially setting up a fight against Joshua for the vacant IBF title.
