Anthony Joshua’s next targets are Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, that’s according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn, who thinks the British-Nigerian needs to get back on track in his comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin on April 1 to set up the blockbuster bouts.
The 33-year-old is trying to resurrect his career after suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Hearn said,
“Joshua looking good but I’m nervous. People think Anthony Joshua has an easy fight on his hands, but that’s not the case.
“Let’s face facts; he’s coming off two losses to the pound-for-pound number one Oleksandr Usyk, but you saw the emotional side to Joshua in his last performance and after the fight.
“This is a big moment for Anthony Joshua’s career, people are talking about fights against Deontay Wilder, Whyte, Fury but he has to win on April 1 first.”
Joshua was in the crowd during November’s controversial victory by Whyte over Franklin and seeing as how close the result was, he is not skipping a beat after completing his first away-from-home training camp.
Joshua is currently training with Derrick James in Dallas, inspiring faith in Hearn that the two-time champion still has room to grow.
He further stated,
“Franklin is a good fighter who is going to come well equipped, but Joshua has worked himself hard out there in humble, humble surroundings,”
“Just him, Derrick James, and Erroll Spence are involved here. That’s all there is to it besides effort.
“Because I think he’s still in his prime, I think this is the hardest he’s ever worked in camp, and I really hope he can deliver the performance that he deserves on April 1. But he has to beat Jermaine Franklin.”