Who Will Joshua Fight in December 2022?

Eddie Hearn says, win or lose against Usyk, Anthony Joshua will fight twice this year. The second fight will take place in December.

I guess the choice of opponent will vary wildly depending on whether Joshua wins his rematch with Usyk.

If he wins, the options may include:
* A title unification with Tyson Fury
* A mega-payday against Wilder
* A mandatory WBA defense against Robert Helenius (if the mando is Helenius)
* A mandatory WBA defense against Daniel Dubois (if the mando is Dubois)
* A mandatory IBF defense against the Hrgovic-Zhang winner
* A defense against WBO #1 Joe Joyce

If he loses to Usyk, the options may include:
* A mega-payday in a non-title fight against Wilder (in a WBC final eliminator)
* A third fight with Andy Ruiz (should he beat Ortiz) for a high WBC rating (possible final eliminator)
* A fight with Luis Ortiz (should be he beat Ruiz) for a high WBC rating (possible final eliminator)

If he loses badly to Usyk, he may choose a seemingly soft comeback fight against a guy who he's confident he'll defeat:
* Joseph Parker II (not a big puncher)
* Frank Sanchez (not a big puncher)
* Otto Wallin (not a big puncher)
* Jerry Forrest (not a big puncher)
* Derek Chisora (big fight in the UK)

Who do you think Joshua will face in December?

 

I think you're right about Chisora.

If he wins, I think Hearn would want more time to sell the Fury fight. And Joshua would make a mandatory defense, against whoever the WBA mando is (the WBA mandatory is next)

And if the WBA can't get its act together (which it may not) ... the IBF mando (who would be next after the WBA).

Which may be why Hrgovic-Zhang is on the undercard.

Joshua beat Zhang in the 2012 Olympics.

 

I think he just signed a huge TV deal with DAZN. I don't know if he can. I think that's why they've already decided he's fighting in December.

 

He'd probably have to pay back a boatload of money if he did retire, considering the TV deal he just signed with DAZN. I'm sure they paid him some money upfront.

I believe he's on the hook for nine fights ... not including the Usyk rematch. That's why they're trying to wedge one in at the year's end. So it'll be two fights a year afterward for the next four years.

Which is why I'm not sure it'll be a big name or someone too tough if he loses to Usyk.