Who is next for Anthony Joshua?

[Syntax Error]

I've heard rumours about potential opponents for a tune-up for Joshua, one being Joyce & the other being Deontay Wilder.

In respect of Wilder, that would certainly be a ballsy so-called tune-up.

Wilder has his faults, but he is nobody's tune-up; he is a legitimate fight for any top HW.

Joshua would be taking an extraordinary risk fighting Wilder whilst waiting for a Usyk rematch.

Joshua is gunshy these days & whilst boxing and moving might be the best tactic against Wilder, but Joshua is not blessed with the greatest stamina & I am doubtful he can avoid Wilder for 12 rounds.

If I were Joshua, I would just wait for Usyk; there's no point in taking risks at this stage in his career.

A Joyce fight might be good for Joyce, but I don't see what's in it for Joshua.

If Joshua loses, he becomes a busted flush, if he wins, he still in the same position, waiting for Usyk.

[Master]

True but having a fight with a new trainer and staying active against a non dangerous fighter would not hurt AJ either.

[Primo Carnera]

True but having a fight with a new trainer and staying active against a non dangerous fighter would not hurt AJ either.

But there are a couple of problems with that.
1. Where AJ’s at at the moment, there’s no such thing as a non dangerous fighter.
2. Again, with where AJ is at in his career, non competitive fights aren’t really acceptable. He’s not World Champion anymore, but his name carries the same financial clout. It’s all meaningful fights from here on in.
3. I actually believe AJ when he says he wants the big fights. Personally I would love to see him finish Wilder off for once and for all.
4. Others have said wait for Usyk, but he can’t. What we have to understand is that Usyk may have fought his last fight! His country is at war and we don’t know how long that will be the case. Also , depending on the outcome and the possibility of being in a communist state again, he may not be given permission to box.

[Mark TKO]

Agreed re waiting for Usyk. Unfortunate circumstances but let's be honest he's not going to be able to start a serious training camp anytime soon and he certainly won't leave Ukraine.

It may be he just has to step out of the HW scene for now and come back as a mandatory challenger for whoever holds the belts. With Usyk out the picture should be much clearer for AJ.

AJ could even be well out of the picture by time Usyk comes back....

[Mark TKO]

Why not take the rubber match with Ruiz to keep busy??

[Memphis]

Funny old game init. Lennox Lewis. The great Lennox Lewis had a couple of gimmes after getting chinned by McCall. Lionel Butler and Justin Fortune. Fortune is about four and a half feet tall. Can you imagine the stick Joshua would get if he had a couple of knock over jobs in the interim? All the while people would be clamouring for todays fighters to fight the best of the best "Like they did back in the good old days".

Lewis is lauded for his beatdown of Grant. Grant the next big thing yadda yadda. Would Joshua receive the same praise if he walloped Joe Joyce who is far far more accomplished than Grant? Would he bollocks.

This isn't an anti Lennox Lewis piece by the way. Just a glaring example of how rose tinted people get when looking back on great fighters and how contemporary fighters basically get shat on no matter what they do.

[Master]

AJ should take on a durable but light puncher who will guarantee that he does a number of rounds to embed what he has learnt with the new trainer but not dangerous enough to knock him out.

The challenger should be safe and could even mean it not being a PPV. Staying active is more important.

Wilder and Joyce would be too dangerous at this stage but Ruiz, Wallin or Parker would be safer options.

[Spicoli]

Why not take the rubber match with Ruiz to keep busy??

Was thinking that. Ruiz has lost a Bantamweight in body weight and was being dropped and caught often in his last fight with Arreola. Has the history there, decent risk and great chance to exercise some ghosts. Who knows.

[Mark TKO]

Yep and would definitely sell