GRAHAM Shaw predicts that Anthony Joshua will make a huge comeback on March 26, 2024, in the Fresh World Heavyweight Title Twist.
Later this year, Anthony Joshua’s quest to become the third heavyweight boxing champion in history may take an unexpected turn.
After winning five straight fights following his back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, AJ (28-3) is back in the running for the title.
After incredibly successful demolition operations on both Otto Wallin in December of last year and Francis Ngannou earlier this month, many commentators think the British superstar is returning to his destructive best. And now, uncontested ambitions and world title chances await once more.
Joshua will face the victor of the Tyson Fury vs. Usyk unification fight on May 18, as we already know. The sole issue is that contracts for a rematch between Fury and Usyk already exist. That might mean that AJ won’t get to meet one of them until 2025.
What takes place then in the interim? This is where things start to get extremely interesting because the smart money says that following the May 18 blockbuster between Fury and Usyk, a global championship will become available.
For Anthony Joshua, what comes next?
In an interview with Simon Jordan on YouTube, talkSPORT analyst Spencer Oliver expressed his opinion that the winner of Fury vs. Usyk will need to relinquish the IBF title within a fortnight, leaving it vacant. Oliver feels that Filip Hrgovic, the current obligatory contender, will take on Daniel Dubois on June 1 for the vacant title.
“Without the IBF championship on the line, Daniel Dubois vs. Filip Hrgovic was the fight that was going to happen,” he stated. I think the IBF belt will open up, and they’ll have that fight. Here’s the twist: the victor will face Anthony Joshua in the box. That’s how the scenery appears or sounds.
Even more exciting news: Oliver thinks that Wembley Stadium will host Joshua’s championship match here. It was shocking because it seemed like Saudi Arabia, which is now hosting so many of the biggest fights, would be losing its hold on large-scale stadium performances.
AJ’s Wembley date is suggested
According to him, September will see Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn stage a rematch of their September 5 vs. 5 bout at Wembley Stadium. I think Anthony Joshua will defend his world title against the winner of the Hrgovic/Dubois bout or the winner of Fury vs. Usyk, depending on how that fight plays out and whether the rematch clause is upheld.