Promoter of Anthony Joshua reveals the frontrunner for next fight, but Tyson Fury's ex is named as a backup alternative

ANTHONY JOSHUA already has a frontrunner set to fight him next following his return win against Jermaine Franklin.

Joshua bounced back from consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk by beating Franklin on points at the O2 Arena.

The American had lost in November to Dillian Whyte, who was in attendance to watch AJ’s victory.

And promoter Eddie Hearn revealed Whyte, 34, is the leading name to fight Joshua, 33, next.

He told Chris Mannix: “I think that’s the frontrunner. I quite like the Otto Wallin fight, really, but he’s a southpaw.

“So if a deal can be reached with Dillian Whyte, then I think that would be a smart fight for both.”

Joshua’s history with Whyte dates back to the amateurs, losing their thriller but avenging the loss by stoppage in the pros six years later.

And Hearn believes a series decider could bring the best out of AJ, who failed to blow away Franklin, 29, in his comeback bout.

Wallin – who gave Tyson Fury 47 stitches during his 2019 loss – is an alternative option for Joshua despite being a southpaw.

But with huge fights against Fury, 34, or Deontay Wilder, 37, on the horizon for AJ, an orthodox opponent for his return is more likely.

Hearn said: “I like the [Otto Wallin] fight in that respect and because he had a good fight with Fury, but the problem is, he’s a southpaw.

“But when you’re progressing with a trainer, the last thing Derrick James wants is a southpaw, especially when you’re not going to go and fight another southpaw in Fury and Wilder.

“So why would you go and fight another southpaw?”