January 1st 2024.
Anthony Joshua is hoping to fight three times in 2024 as plans are in place for him to fight in Saudi Arabia in March. Eddie Hearn has named Filip Hrgovic, Zhilei Zhang and Francis Ngannou as potential opponents for the heavyweight champion.
Joshua had previously planned to fight Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in March, however, that fight has been put on hold following Wilder's shock defeat to Joseph Parker in December. On the same night, Joshua easily overcame Otto Wallin and it is likely he will fight in Saudi again that month.
Hrgovic is one of the options, as he is the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title and Joshua is ranked no.2. Oleksandr Usyk is the current champion heading into his undisputed title fight against Tyson Fury, but is likely to be stripped of the belt should the two enter into a rematch later in the year.
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is also in the picture following his boxing debut against Fury last October. Zhang, who Joshua beat en route to winning gold at London 2012, is also being considered after his two wins over Joe Joyce last year.
Hearn told IFL TV that the ultimate aim for Joshua is to fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk. He is also looking to map out Joshua's next four or five fights for the rest of his career. However, with Fury and Usyk set to fight in the middle of February, it's unclear if that fight will be possible by March. It's possible it may be a fight for the summer.
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