FRANK Warren has urged Anthony Joshua to face either Fabio Wardley or Moses Itauma now that Tyson Fury has retired.
It had seemed like Joshua and Fury were finally on course to meet this summer after both men lost in world heavyweight title fights during 2024.
But Fury has instead decided to retire, leaving Joshua without a dance partner for his comeback fight later this year.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that they will target the winner of Daniel Dubois against Joseph Parker in Riyadh on February 22, with the IBF title on the line. Dubois’ promoter Warren, however, says their plan for Dubois is a rematch with Usyk for all the belts should he beat Parker.
But Warren says he has two other potential opponents for AJ within his Queensberry stable who would be ready to step up and face him instead.
“Joshua can fight Fabio Wardley or Moses Itauma,” said Warren.
Wardley, the current British heavyweight champion, is currently plotting his next move having stopped Frazer Clarke in a round last October. Itauma is perhaps the most promising heavyweight on the planet and is hoping to potentially challenge for a world title before 2025 is out.
On the plan for Dubois, Warren added: “He’s got a tough fight here against Joseph Parker, that’s no gimme, that’s going to be a real tough fight. But I think the winner of that will actually fight Usyk.
“He fights Parker and if he comes through he will fight Usyk. I think it will be a unification. That makes sense for everybody.
“I spoke to Usyk at the do on Saturday and he said he’s happy to fight the winner. He says that but we will see, he may retire, who knows?”
