Anthony Joshua will fight on despite his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk and could return to the ring at the end of 2022, reports Jordan Ellis for talkSport.
The Brit fought much better in the rematch than he did against Usyk last September in London but ultimately slumped to a split decision defeat against the WBA, IBF, and WBO champion on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of the fight, former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson had suggested Joshua could retire from the sport if he lost again.
But the 32-year-old and his promoter Eddie Hearn insisted after the fight there is no chance of that happening.
Joshua – who cut an emotional figure after the defeat to Usyk – is eyeing a comeback fight in December.
“I spoke to Eddie and asked him if it’s possible to get out in November because momentum is important in boxing. Eddie said December,” Joshua said.
“If it’s about who I fight, it’s come one, come all. Whoever wants it can get it, I don’t mind.”
Speaking to talkSPORT on Sunday morning, Hearn said there are plenty of great fights still to come for his man.
“People talked in the build-up about him retiring,” Hearn said.
“When you lose a split decision to the pound-for-pound number one, why would you contemplate retirement?
Joshua was emotional after losing to Usyk again but will keep on fighting
Hearn then suggested former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and long-time rival Dillian Whyte as two likely opponents.
“I’d like to see him back out. Maybe even in late December,” Hearn added.
“There’s massive fights for him. Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder.
“There’s so many fights for him in the top [10]. There’s even some Brits for him that are coming through in a couple of fights as well.”
In the immediate aftermath of Usyk vs Joshua 2, Wilder took to social media to claim Hearn and co. had already been in touch about a potential fight with AJ.
“They tried to lock me in for insurance because they knew he wasn’t going to Win. This is strictly a business, Not a sport there’s a different,” Wilder tweeted.
It seems unlikely Joshua and Wilder will fight this year as the American is already booked to face Robert Helenius on Saturday, October 15, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City.
