Anthony Joshua could fight ‘wildcard’ at Wembley instead of Deontay Wilder or Dillian White
AJ is confirmed to be fighting on April 13, 2019 at Wembley Stadium, with Wilder and Whyte the front runners to be in the opposite corner - however, promoter Hearn revealed it may not be either of the aforementioned
PROMOTER EDDIE HEARN revealed Anthony Joshua could face a ‘wildcard’ opponent in his next fight.
Hearn announced back in July that Joshua, 30, would fight at Wembley Stadium on April 13, 2019 - and talk of his next opponent has already begun.
The Matchroom Boxing boss previously revealed he would like WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, 33, or former Joshua opponent Dillian Whyte, 30, to be in the opposite corner come April 2019.
However, in an interview with , Hearn made the shock admission that Joshua could meet a ‘wildcard’ name in front of England’s national football stadium come April 2019.
Hearn said: “(There’s) lots going on. Lots going on. Loads. I’m not going to tell you because you’ll find out in due course.
“Would it be a shock to everyone else? Yes...“It might be Deontay Wilder, or Dillian Whyte, it might be a wildcard. It might be, it might not be.”
Most read in boxing
Joshua last fought again at Wembley when he knocked out Russian Alexander Povetkin after seven rounds - successfully defending his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
After the fight, Joshua revealed Wilder would be his favoured opponent for his first fight of 2019.
Wilder defends his WBC title against another undefeated British heavyweight in Tyson Fury, 30, as the two collide on December 1, at the Staples Centre, in Los Angeles.
The WBC titlist recently claimed he does not think Joshua has the capability of beating him, or his December 1 opponent Fury.
Wilder said: “As far as I’m concerned, (Wilder vs Fury) will tell the world who is the best of the best because I don’t feel Joshua can beat me, nor can he beat Fury.”
Other potential opponents that could face Joshua on April 13 next year include undisputed cruiserweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, Jarrell Miller, or possibly an MMA fighter.
Usyk, who recently beat AJ’s close friend Tony Bellew, signed with Hearn and both fighter and promoter have discussed willingness to make the Joshua fight happen.
Similarly, Miller penned a deal with Hearn and immediately targeted a fight with Joshua, and even labeled AJ a "punk" to his face and promised to "whoop him".
UFC heavyweights Francis NGannou, Stipe Miocic and even light-heavyweight Jon Jones have all expressed their interest in a mega-money crossover fight with Joshua.
Former five-weight boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather defeated UFC star Conor McGregor via tenth round KO in August 2017 — the fight generated an estimated £428million.
