With Anthony Joshua threatening a meaningful resurgence in 2026, Eddie Hearn has named one man who could prove a step too far.
The 36-year-old defeated internet star Jake Paul by sixth round stoppage on Friday, ending a near 15-month layoff at the Kaseya Center, Miami.
After that victory, ‘AJ’ is now reported to face a credible opponent on a Riyadh Season show in early 2026, before targeting a more lucrative clash with Tyson Fury next summer.
But while Fury, who must first come out of retirement, seems like the preferred option, Joshua could alternatively look to become a three-time world champion next year.
A clash with former stablemate and newly-crowned WBO champion Fabio Wardley, for instance, could make a great deal of sense, especially when considering the terrific punching power that is typically generated by both men.
Oleksandr Usyk, meanwhile, represents a far greater puzzle to solve, just as Joshua discovered following two points defeats to the Ukrainian in 2021 and 2022.
Not only that, but with ‘AJ’ having now aligned himself to Team Usyk, it would appear that a trilogy encounter with the bona fide heavyweight king remains far from realistic.
But even so, the Brit’s promoter, Hearn, has admitted in an interview with Froch On Fighting that his client would likely lose to crafty southpaw once again.
“Could ‘AJ’ become the world heavyweight champion? In my opinion, he beats Fabio Wardley. So yes.
“Can he beat Oleksandr Usyk? No, at the moment. I don’t think he does.”
As for Usyk’s next move, he could be set to make a voluntary defence of his world heavyweight titles against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder next year.
