Anthony Joshua’s two frontrunners for next fight revealed as Zhilei Zhang and Daniel Dubois score impressive knockouts
Anthony Joshua will now have a choice of fighting IBF interim titleholder Daniel Dubois or Zhilei Zhang.
Dubois met Filip Hrgovic in an IBF interim title clash and scored an impressive KO in front of AJ, who watched on from ringside in Saudi Arabia.
4
4
In the main event, Zhang stunned the boxing world by stopping Deontay Wilder, bouncing his head off the canvas with a brutal KO to send him into retirement.
And now both 'Big Bang' and 'Dynamite' have stated their claim to a titanic tussle in front of 90,000 in a showpiece event later this year.
Joshua is expected to return to the ring on September 21 at Wembley Stadium and is looking to get back in the heavyweight world title mix.
4
The Briton has frequently been touted to fight for the IBF belt, which Usyk is expected to be forced to vacate following Dubois' dominant KO win over Hrgovic.
Read More In Boxing
For now, the future of the IBF strap is up in the air as the organisation deliberates over the Ukrainian champion's application for an 'exemption'.
Dubois' has earned mandatory status, and will likely be of big appeal to Joshua, with the prospect of an all-British affair mouth-watering for fans.
4
When asked about his next outing, Joshua responded: "I said Dubois would win. Dubois has been in tougher fights.
"I feel like this was a chance for him to showcase what he has been through, and we will happen in the near future.
Most read in Boxing
Anthony Joshua lands thunderous shots in training footage from Mike Tyson gym
"He called me out yeah? Yeah [he is an option], let's go."
H.E. Turki Alalshikh appeared to confirm on the night that a mega card would be the first staged by the Saudi boxing promotion on British shores.
Joshua remained coy about his participation in the event, adding: "Potentially, I will speak to the team.
"Get out and get active, unfortunately, I didn't get this opportunity but they are talking about September 21.
"I almost am getting ready, it puts things into perspective when you watch from the outside.
"If I'm going to continue, when I go back now it is about assessing what I am doing. In the ring, the truth comes out and I really want to dominate my next fight."
AJ was previously signed and sealed to face Wilder, but the 'Bronze Bomber' lost to Joseph Parker, which derailed their mega-fight.
That high-profile showdown is likely off the table for good, with regrets over the collapse of their 2018 undisputed fight likely to weigh heavy, particularly for Wilder.
Boxing WhatsApp channel
Get the latest fight news, reaction and the best opinion from talkSPORT pundits in our
Follow our Boxing channel
Topics