Author: quyen1

TYSON FURY will be ringside to watch Anthony Joshua fight Francis Ngannou knowing their paths could be destined to meet.

AJ returns against MMA star Ngannou TONIGHT in Saudi Arabia with Fury making the trip to Riyadh to watch it.

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Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in his next boutCredit: Getty

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Anthony Joshua can earn a fight with Fury by beating Francis NgannouCredit: AFP
The Gypsy King is in camp for his rearranged May 18 undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk having pulled out of the February 17 date due to a cut.

And the winner of the unified title fight will then be lined up to face either Joshua or Ngannou.

So here, SunSport looks at when the British boxing fans could finally get fight that has been teased for so many years.

Despite the winner between Joshua, 34, and Ngannou, 37, being promised a shot at the undisputed crown, it is not that simple.

That is because Fury, 35, and Usyk, 37, have agreed to a two-fight deal, meaning they will box twice this year.

So it rules out AJ potentially challenging Fury until 2025 at the earliest.

What would be on the line?

If Fury prevails from his double header against Usyk, he should do so with all four heavyweight belts.

But he also faces being stripped of the IBF version after his first fight as Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger.

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So if Fury rematches Usyk and is stripped, Joshua is being lined up to fight Hrgovic for the vacant IBF belt, which he could in theory then defend against the Gypsy King later down the line.

Tyson Fury arrives in Riyadh to meet with promoter Turki Alalshikh
Joshua has refused to comment on any other business except Ngannou – but Fury has been a lot more vocal.

He said: “Turki (Alalshikh), I was talking with him last night about it and he said the winner of this fight, will get the winner of you and Usyk.

“After me and Usyk fight and have a rematch, then the winner of this will get a shot at that.

“So me and Usyk have two fights lined up this year. So the winner of that fight will get to fight the winner of this fight. So there’s a lot on the line.”

AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn reckons they could slide in to fight Fury before an Usyk rematch but will settle for Hrgovic and the vacant title if needed.

He told Boxing News: “You know that if AJ knocks out Ngannou and Fury beats Usyk His Excellency will have the opportunity to make the biggest fight in the sport, one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport [and] it’ll be very difficult for him not to do it.

“We’ve been told that if we beat Ngannou we’ll get the undisputed shot, that was prior to the Fury cut.

“If we have to fight Hrgovic in the meantime for the world title no problem as well.”

TYSON FURY has been named as a pundit for Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight clash with Francis Ngannou this evening.

The Gypsy King will feature on DAZN alongside David Haye and Conor Benn with Kate Abdo, Ade Oladipo and Ariel Helwani hosting.

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Tyson Fury will be a pundit for Joshua vs Ngannou tonightCredit: Getty
Fury is the only professional boxer to have faced ex-MMA star Ngannou in the ring so far.

The WBC heavyweight champion clinched a controversial points win over Ngannou in October – despite being knocked down in the third round.

He was quick to praise the Predator after the bout in Saudi Arabia, admitting: “That definitely wasn’t in the script. Francis is a hell of a fighter.

“He’s strong, he’s a big puncher and a lot better boxer than we thought he’d ever be.

“He’s a very awkward man and he’s a very good puncher.

“And I respect him a lot, before the fight and after the fight.”

Ngannou appeared to get the better of Fury during a pre-fight press conference on Thursday.

The Gypsy King gatecrashed the conference by sitting in the front row and heckling his former rival.

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ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT

Fury claimed that he would beat the ex-UFC champion in the ring or octagon.

However, Ngannou responded: “I’m going to wipe the ring with your a*** again – there was blood in the ring!
Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou go at each other during AJ vs Ngannou presser – former UFC champ tells Fury I’ll wipe the ring with you a**
“Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you’ll have a really bad time my friend.

“Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!”

Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn has admitted that he is “nervous” for the bout.

Hearn, who has promoted Joshua for several years, told SunSport: “There is very little reward for the fight.

“The main reason we’re taking the fight is because of the credibility because of his performance against Fury. Obviously the money as well.

“But also His Excellency saying the winner of that fight should move forward and fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk. And that’s what we want.

“In one fight, AJ could become undisputed after we chased it for three or four years.

“He could beat Ngannou, fight for the undisputed and win. The path is clear in Saudi Arabia for us to do that.

“But still, the fact remains we’ve got to get through Francis Ngannou.”

He continued: “I’m excited [for the fight] and nervous as well. Ngannou is still a little bit of an unknown quantity if you like.

“I mean he’s a big, strong beast of a man. But I still feel that, on paper, our boxing guys should be beating the likes of Ngannou.

“But in the heavyweight division, as you saw against Tyson Fury, if you’re strong and you’re technically sound and you’re tough enough and you can whack, then you’ve got a chance.

“And he was unlucky not to get the win against Tyson Fury. So it gives AJ the credibility to go and fight him.”

TYSON FURY watched the newest member of his boxing family score his fourth win on Friday night in Riyadh.

The 35-year-old WBC Gypsy King had to return to the same Kingdom Arena he was floored by boxing debutant Francis Ngannou in October and had to nick a split decision win.

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Roman Fury faced the undefeated Martin Svarc on the Joshua vs NgannouCredit: REUTERS

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Fury locked horns with the Czech clubber in a four-rounderCredit: GETTY

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Roman’s older brother Tyson and his wife Paris were ringside for the heavyweight showdownCredit: GETTY

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Roman shone in front of his siblingsCredit: REUTERS
But he had a more relaxed visit this time, watching his 27-year-old sibling Roman coast past Martin Svarc on points, leaving him with a smear of blood across his nose that matched his bright red shorts.

Celebrity YouTube boxer Tommy, 23, was also at ringside, returning to the same Saudi Arabia desert he bea-tboxing prankster Jake Paul in last year, making it a perfect family holiday.

Roman said: “I feel the pressure but I am enjoying life.

“I keep thinking I might wake up soon because all of this just feels like a dream.

“I am riding the wave, two years ago I was nowhere and I need to thank my father for training me.

“And thank you to Tyson for coming to watch me because it’s all happening thanks to him.”

The non-televised fight was a big family affair and a big change in scenery for the southpaw novice, who started his career at Doncaster Racecourse in 2022.

The Morecambe learner flicked out his right-hand jab at the 2-0 Czech, who launched an early right hand to show some intent.

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Roman Fury was cheered on by his brothers Tommy and Tyson and dad JohnCredit: Getty
Fury tried to whip a long right hook to Svarc’s toned torso but the underdog was quick enough to dodge it.

Svarc kept hurling right hands in the second and Fury knew better than to get careless.
Roman Fury says dad John would never have believed when he was in jail that he’d see all three sons box
Dad John jumped in the ring for the second break and showed his boy how to throw an uppercut and lead hook.

In the third, there was a wild exchange, short on technique but plenty of bravery, as they traded power punches.

Team Svarc cheered while worried John barked “hands up” to his shaven-headed lad.

Tyson – wearing nothing under his red velvet waistcoat but a 70’s style chest rug – clapped the action.

By the fourth and final round, Svarc was bleeding heavily from his nose and looking more tired.

Fury landed one more crisp left hand before the bell ended the latest learning fight for the Englishman and referee Kieran McCann called it 39-37.

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Roman Fury was happy as larry after getting the nod via decision

TYSON FURY claimed he did not start a brawl with Francis Ngannou as he feared KOing another Saudi Arabia super-fight.

Fury was forced to pull out of his February 17 undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk after suffering a cut in sparring.

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Tyson Fury opened up on his row with Francis NgannouCredit: BoxNation
It was only in October that he was floored by Ngannou and deemed fortunate to walk away with a split-decision victory.

So there is no love lost between the rivals when they reunited ahead of Ngannou’s fight with Anthony Joshua.

The MMA superstar and Fury even got into a verbal altercation at Saudi boxing broker Turki Alalshikh’s house.

And the Gypsy King insisted only the threat of cancelling another blockbuster bout stopped him from throwing hands at Ngannou.

Fury told BoxNation: “Let me tell you something straight from the heart, if I never had as much respect as I do for Turki Alalshikh, I would have got up and punched his c*** right in for him.

“But I didn’t want to cancel another show for Turki. I’ve already cancelled one with a cut eye.

“If I had got up and set about him at the press conference, there would have been another show cancelled.”

Fury, 35, escaped Riyadh last year with his reputation and unbeaten record just about intact after Ngannou, 37, took him the distance.

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ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT

And he offered a bizarre analogy when explaining why he cannot truly rate Ngannou’s boxing skills.

Fury said: “I can’t tell you how good or bad Ngannou is because he never fought Tyson Fury on the night and I can’t honestly tell you how good or bad he is.
Tyson Fury leaks ‘ungrateful f—er’ Francis Ngannou’s fight purse that was SIX times his whole UFC career earnings-
“The one thing I can tell you is that he’s a tough old boy because he took some thunderous punches about the head.

“But apart from that, the one thing I can tell you though is that he doesn’t have much boxing ability because he can’t follow up on a punch.

“Hence when he hit me with a shot to the side of the head and dropped me he couldn’t land another worthwhile punch.”

PARIS FURY stole the spotlight from her world champion husband as the pair were spotted ringside in Saudi Arabia.

The boxing world switches its focus to Riyadh tonight as Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou.

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Paris and Tyson Fury were ringside in Saudi Arabia on FridayCredit: Getty

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Paris looked stunning in her black dress as she cheered on the actionCredit: Sky Sports

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The pair watched Roman Fury defeat Martin Svarc at the Kingdom ArenaCredit: Getty

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Both Paris and Tyson had plenty of bling to accompany their outfitsCredit: Sky Sports
AJ and the UFC legend, who floored Fury in October before controversially losing his first pro fight on points, main event a stacked card in the Middle East.

Chinese champion Zhilei Zhang will also put his WBO interim Heavyweight title on the line against Joseph Parker – who is likely to have close pal and training partner Fury, 35, cheering him on again.

However, earlier in the night the WBC heavyweight title holder and his wife were in the front row to witness another member of the Fury family in action.

The pair watched his 27-year-old sibling Roman Fury coast past Martin Svarc on points to secure his fourth pro victory.

And Fury’s other younger brother Tommy Fury, 23, was also at ringside with the Love islander star earlier calling out Conor McGregor.

But despite Romeo getting his hand raised, it was the 34-year-old Paris that delivered the knockout performance.

After leaving the couple’s seven children at home to make the nine hour flight on her own to reunite with Tyson, it was her who looked every inch the champion  in a stunning black dress with gold accessories.

“Paris Fury is so sexy to me. The complete woman,” wrote one viewer on social media.

Another declared that she “looks incredible” while she was hailed as being “stunning” by another.

Paris and Tyson had visited one of Riyadh’s coolest tourist spots – the premier entertainment zone Boulevard World – before fight night.
Paris Fury shares touching pics reuniting with Tyson in Saudi Arabia… with £3k suitcase and £4k handbag in tow
Paris posted several snaps from their trip and captioned it: “We had a great night @blvdworldsa went around the world in one night.

“Solved the pharaoh tomb mystery in Egypt, ran the scare house of Mexico, saw King Kong climbing the Empire State Building! Great fun. Have to bring the kids next time.”

Paris even posted the couple shooting shotguns in the Saudi capital before one of them in Pharaoh’s tomb.

Fury will feature on DAZN alongside David Haye and Conor Benn with Kate Abdo, Ade Oladipo and Ariel Helwani hosting for AJ vs Ngannou.

Ngannou appeared to get the better of Fury during a pre-fight press conference on Thursday.

The Gypsy King, who is preparing to unify the heavyweight division in May by fighting Oleksandr Usyk, gatecrashed the conference by sitting in the front row and heckling his former rival.

Fury claimed that he would beat the ex-UFC champion in the ring or octagon.

However, Ngannou responded: “I’m going to wipe the ring with your a*** again – there was blood in the ring!

“Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you’ll have a really bad time my friend.

“Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!”

TYSON FURY aimed a dig at Anthony Joshua following his win over Francis Ngannou.

AJ ended the bout with a devastating knockout in the second round of their Saudi Arabian clash.

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Tyson Fury aimed a dig at Anthony Joshua after his win over Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters

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Joshua KO’d Ngannou with a devastating blowCredit: Getty
Joshua, 34, put down Ngannou twice before landing a killer blow – something Fury failed to do when he met The Predator in October.

The Gypsy King laboured to a points win over Ngannou and was even knocked down by the former UFC champion.

But he described Joshua’s showdown with the heavyweight as a “show fight”, and belittled his compatriot by suggesting the real boxing will be between him and Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury tweeted: “Me and Oleksandr Usyk have got an undisputed heavyweight world title fight coming up, and he’s just had a show fight – which is fantastic for the show, but for the actual real boxing it’s me and Usyk who fight for the No1 position and undisputed.”

The two heavyweight world champions, Fury and Usyk, are set to do battle on May 18 after their initial meeting was postponed due to Fury suffering a cut above his eye.

Fury, 35, was ringside for AJ’s duel with Ngannou and he was spotted applauding enthusiastically after the first knock down.

He also looked “terrified” by Joshua’s knockout blow according to fans, as he sat in his chair looking stunned.

Frank Warren sitting next to him looked perplexed while Paris Fury appeared visibly horrified before she started clapping.

Ngannou was laid out on the canvas following the blow and he required oxygen before getting back to his feet.

Asked about fighting Joshua, Fury said at the Kingdom Arena: “I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say something about that.

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Tyson Fury looks on intently ahead of Joshua vs Ngannou
“I had a s*** performance against Ngannou. AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand.

“If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game.”

ANTHONY JOSHUA blasted Tyson Fury in a blistering rant just hours after his obliteration of Francis Ngannou.

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion knocked the MMA man mountain out cold in the second round of their crossover clash in Saudi Arabia early on Saturday morning.

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Anthony Joshua brutally knocked out Francis Ngannou in their Saudi showdownCredit: GETTY

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Tyson Fury was ringside for his fellow Brit’s third KO win in a rowCredit: SKY SPORTS

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Joshua was in no mood to talk about his long-time rival after the stunning stoppageCredit: IFL TV
AJ’s demolition of Ngannou has put him on course for a long overdue Battle of Britain with The Gypsy King, who was ringside for the Riyadh rumble.

But he wasn’t in the mood for discussing a domestic dust-up with the WBC heavyweight champion due to his pre-fight putdowns of himself and Ngannou.

The fired-up Watford warrior told iFL TV: “F**k Tyson Fury.

“I don’t like trash-talking people, but I heard him say, ‘Oh, I’m here to do commentary about these two sausages.’

“Or something like that.

“Bro, that guy that I fought and that he fought is an ex-UFC heavyweight champion [and has] a phenomenal story and someone who has changed their life around.

“[He’s] just too disrespectful. So forget anything about him right now.”

Before Joshua can think of sharing the ring with Fury, he must first wait for his Brit rival to have back-to-back undisputed heavyweight title fights with Oleksandr Usyk.

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Anthony Joshua walks away after flatlining Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
A fight between Joshua and Fury will arguably be the biggest in the history of British boxing, a fact promoter Eddie Hearn is well aware of.

Speaking moments after Joshua’s third successive KO, the Matchroom Boxing chief said: “I’m so proud of him because there was a huge amount of pressure.
AJ Celebrates huge knockout win over Francis Ngannou
“If we won this fight then he would fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk.

“You’re looking at the No1 heavyweight in the world.

“Tyson Fury please beat Usyk because you will get the biggest fight in the history of the sport.

“As a fighter, he’s an inspiration to young people.

“What I said would happen, happened. He destroyed Francis Ngannou.

“He’s a beast and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”

TYSON FURY was seemingly involved in a backstage barney in the aftermath of Anthony Joshua’s win over Francis Ngannou.

The Gypsy King was ringside for his fellow Brit’s demolition job of his former opponent in Saudi Arabia early on Saturday morning.

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Tyson Fury was ringside for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY

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The Gypsy King launched a blistering X-rated rant during backstage after the fight

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It’s unclear who the WBC heavyweight king was shouting at
Fury, 35, was sat alongside wife Paris as AJ knocked the former UFC heavyweight champion out cold with a brutal overhand right in the second round of their Saudi showdown.

And he was seemingly fired up as he made his way to leave the Kingdom Arena.

The WBC heavyweight champion was filmed backstage bemoaning the fact someone he’d had an interaction with had disappeared.

He said: “Has f***ed off, the useless c**t.”

It’s unknown who the furious Fury was talking about in the video, which has spread like wildfire on social media.

Boxing fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “He’s rattled. He knows the jig is up.”

Another said: “Fury feeling the pressure.”

And another said: “Rattled when the cameras were off him.”

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Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in the second round of their Saudi showdownCredit: Getty
One remarked: “He is FUMING.”

Another chimed in: “Running around in a waistcoat with no shirt, a dyed beard calling people useless cunts is quite an image.”
Paris Fury looks horrified as Francis Ngannou collapses to floor after he’s brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua
Joshua, 34, did his part to get a Battle of Britain between himself and Fury back on track with his destruction of Ngannou.

Fury must now register back-to-back wins over Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed fights later this year to ensure the fight happens.

He said: “I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say something about that.

“I had a s*** performance against Ngannou. AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand.

“If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game.”

Joshua, however, refused to be drawn on a historic domestic dust-up with his long-time rival, telling iFL TV: “F**k Tyson Fury.”

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Anthony Joshua didn’t hang around as he dominated Francis Ngannou

ANTHONY JOSHUA is well and truly back in the heavyweight title picture.

The Watford warrior continued his career resurgence early on Sunday morning with a ferocious finish of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

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Anthony Joshua locked horns with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Saturday morningCredit: REUTERS

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AJ brutally knocked out the former UFC heavyweight championCredit: GETTY

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Attention has now turned to who the former unified champ will face nextCredit: REUTERS
Joshua, 34, knocked the former UFC heavyweight champion out cold in the second round with a hellacious overhand right moments after a beautiful knockdown that came courtesy of a right-hand left-hook combination.

Attention has now turned to who AJ will face next following his demolition of Ngannou, with fans clamouring for him to fight Brit rival Tyson Fury.

But The Gypsy King has the small matter of undisputed and unified title fights with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk to think about before the long-overdue Battle of Britain can come to fruition.

Former two-time unified champion Joshua could very well choose to sit and wait for the winner of the Fury vs Usyk series.

But given the fact he’s found his groove with four fights in 11 months, it’s likely he won’t want to sit and twiddle his thumbs on the sidelines.

So with that in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to reveal the five fighters in contention to be his next opponent.

Filip Hrgovic

Croatian clubber Filip Hrgovic is currently the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title in possession of Usyk.

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Undefeated Croat clubber Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight titleCredit: GETTY
The IBF are set to mandate the winner of Fury and Usyk’s May 18 melee to defend the belt against the Croat, although that fight won’t come to fruition as the pair are contractually obliged to have back-to-back bouts.

That means the winner of Fury vs Usyk is set to be STRIPPED of the title for Hrgovic to vie for it.

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Joshua blasts ‘f*** Tyson Fury’ after overhearing rival’s commentary on DAZN for Francis Ngannou
Joshua is ranked No3 in the IBF rankings, meaning the IBF will order Hrgovic to fight him for the brown belt should they decide to relieve either Fury or Usyk of the strap.

Joseph Parker

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has well and truly rebuilt himself following his crushing loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022.

The Kiwi has rattled off five wins on the bounce, including one of former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

His decision win over China’s Zhilei Zhang – in which he claimed the interim WBO title – has proved he’s not the spent force many thought he was nearly two years ago.

So if AJ wants a good test to keep himself sharp, a rematch with Parker – who he beat six years ago – would make perfect sense.

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AJ could potentially be enticed to have a reamtch with the resurgent Joseph ParkerCredit: REUTERS

Dillian Whyte

AJ was set to renew his rivalry with Dillian Whyte last August before the Brixton Body Snatcher tested positive for a banned substance for the third time in his career.

Whyte – who maintained his innocence from the get-go – was recently cleared of any wrongdoing by the Texas Department of Licencing and Regulation

Provided he wins his fight against Christian Hammer next weekend, and, more importantly, gets cleared by the British Boxing Board of Control to compete, he could potentially be in line for a third showdown with Joshua.

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A trilogy fight with Dillian Whyte could keep Anthony Joshua busy while he waits for Fury and Usyk to handle their businessCredit: REUTERS

Daniel Dubois

Another domestic dust-up potentially in the offing for Joshua is one with Daniel Dubois.

Triple D is set to fill the Brit heavyweight void when Joshua and Fury eventually call it a day – despite his ups and downs.

The 26-year-old came up short in his first world title fight with Usyk last August but bounced back from that defeat with a sensational stoppage of Jarrell Miller a few months later.

Dubois still has a long way to go to put himself back in the orbit of a world title but would be a more than satisfactory opponent for AJ to keep himself busy with.

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A domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois could also be in the offingCredit: REUTERS

Deontay Wilder

Vicious knockout artist Wilder was supposed to have been the man standing opposite Joshua this weekend for the first of what would have been a two-fight series.

But the former long-reigning WBC champ blew their £100million bouts with a stinker of a performance against Parker in Riyadh last December.

Fight fans around the world mourned the loss of one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport after Parker had his hand raised.

But Joshua has refused to close the door on sharing the ring with the American – a statement which will be music to the ears of The Bronze Bomber.

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Anthony Joshua is still willing to face long-time rival Deontay Wilder

Jose Aldo will return to the Octagon for the first time since August 2022 at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.

On Saturday, Sao Paolo-based fight news agency Ag.Fight announced that the former featherweight champion will take on Jonathan Martinez in the promotion’s return to Brazil on May 4.

Aldo’s last fight came in a decision loss to the No 1 ranked bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278. In July 2023, Aldo and fellow Brazilian legend Anderson Silva were inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

The King of Rio’s career was highlighted by his 18-fight win streak from 2006 to 2015 when he lost to Conor McGregor. The 13-second knockout launched the Irishman into becoming the sport’s biggest star.

Despite the loss, Aldo regained featherweight kingship one fight later by defeating Frankie Edgar at UFC 200.

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UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo will return to the Octagon at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Aldo will fight No 14 bantamweight Jonathan Martinez, who is on a six-fight win streak

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Jose Aldo went on an 18-fight win streak from 2006 to 2018 before losing to Conor McGregor

He lost twice to Max Holloway, got back-to-back wins over Jeremy Stephens and Renato Moicano, and lost to Alexander Volkanovski before leaving the 145-lb division.

As a bantamweight, Aldo is 3-3 with wins over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font. On the other hand, his losses came against Marlon Moraes, former champion Petr Yan, and Dvalishvili.

Aldo holds a 31-8 record with 17 knockouts and a submission ahead of his return to the Octagon.

He will face Martinez, who is ranked 14th in the bantamweight division. The southpaw is 19-4 in his career with nine knockouts. He is also coming off a six-fight win streak.

On Friday, the UFC announced that Brazilian flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will make his second title defense at UFC 301 against No 10 Steve Erceg. Pantoja is 27-5, coming off five straight wins.