According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua plans to attend the Hrgovic vs. Dubois fight in Riyadh this Saturday evening. The highly anticipated event will feature Filip Hrgovic facing off against Daniel Dubois in a heavyweight bout that will be streamed live on DAZN PPV.
Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight champion, is contemplating the possibility of fighting the victor of the Hrgovic-Dubois match in September, potentially vying for the vacant IBF title.
Although it remains uncertain whether Joshua will battle the winner of the Hrgovic-Dubois showdown, Hearn hinted at a potential matchup with Deontay Wilder should Wilder triumph in his upcoming fight against Zhilei Zhang on Saturday.
The presence of the IBF belt, which may be stripped from Oleksandr Usyk, could influence Joshua’s selection of his next opponent.
Joshua’s appearance at the event on Saturday serves the purpose of scouting both heavyweights and evaluating their abilities for potential future encounters.
Hearn noted, “The front runner for AJ’s next opponent is likely to emerge from the Hrgovic-Dubois clash and could possibly be for the [IBF heavyweight] world title.”
If the IBF title is not at stake, Joshua might decide against facing the Hrgovic-Dubois winner due to associated risks. Hearn also raised the possibility of a showdown with Wilder depending on the latter’s performance.
Preparations for Joshua’s upcoming bout in September are progressing, with talks of a press conference scheduled for late June. Hearn expressed anticipation for the forthcoming heavyweight matchups and the prospect of Joshua headlining the event.
