In answer to the above question raised above, Joshua has gone 6-3 from 9 fights since his first loss (Ruiz I). BoxRec: Anthony Joshua
Had quietly wondered about Hughie as a potential opponent. He doesn't have the power to be seen as much of a danger. So he fits the requirements. Hughie made a half arsed call out of Joshua after his last fight. Hughie does have a fight scheduled for about 3 or 4 weeks time. But it's against a nobody and I'm sure it could be canned if needs be.
I don't blame AJ for taking a tune up, especially at this short notice. Maybe he and Parker can have an early 2026 scrap?
Yes but he has a good chin and has the potential to make AJ look bad A tune up or whatever they want to call it should be used to generate future interest in a bigger AJ fight Hughie Fury is actually the worst possible choice
Unfortunately for Joe, he actually brings nothing to the table after the Wardley loss Despite AJ being on the slide and coming off a loss, he still will draw an audience in person and on TV All Parker brings is a big challenge, which whilst AJ wouldn't be bothered about it's never gonna bring the money in AJ will want for his final few fights
I don’t really see what the issue is in dusting off the cobwebs as a support act vs a bum on the basis he fights early next year against something decent. If he was headlining a card and the paying fans were getting fleeced it would be different
AJ could fight whoever he likes and still get paid big bucks. If he can't fight people in the top ten after a tune up then what's the point of continuing his career? Arguably, beating AJ at this point in his career will mean significantly less for the person taking the risk with the only reward being a decent payday. Beating Parker would put AJ back into the top ten. It's a solid matchup for both fighters.