Eddie Hearn has confirmed that plans are already being put in place for Anthony Joshua to once again fight three times in 2024 with hopes of blockbuster bouts against Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua was on the comeback charge last year after losing his heavyweight belts to Usyk at the end of 2022.
The British boxer ended up fighting three times in a calendar year for the first time since 2016.
A nervous victory over Jermaine Franklin Jr was followed by stoppages against Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.
Anthony Joshua could fight again in March
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It initially looked as though Joshua would be on course to face Deontay Wilder next, but the American's humiliating loss to Joseph Parker has taken him out of consideration.
Joshua's main hopes now are to become a three-time heavyweight champion by the end of the year and he could get that chance in March as it's expected he'll face Croatia's Filip Hrgovic for a vacant IBF title.
Hearn insists that Joshua has his eyes on even bigger prizes in 2024 with the hope of finally getting a fight against Fury booked in as well as a rematch with Usyk.
“The things that AJ wants to do is be in massive fights, win the world heavyweight title, and fight Tyson Fury, or get another crack at Usyk," Hearn told IFL TV.
“That’s what Ben [Davison] wants – another crack at Usyk. For me, obviously I’d love the Fury fight.”
Hrgovic is the most likely next fight for Joshua, but Hearn insists nothing is certain yet and is looking ahead to the 34-year-old's entire calendar.
“A lot has to happen by March to make that possible with Hrgovic," Hearn added.
“Obviously Fury and Usyk fight in the middle of February.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off in February
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“Are they gonna be able to keep the belt? Do they have to let it go? Is Joshua just gonna replace Wallin in the rankings? There’s a lot of discussions.
“If that’s in play for March, that’s definitely a possibility.
“Maybe that’s a fight that, when everything plays out, could be one for the summer.
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Filip Hrgovic is likely to be Anthony Joshua's next opponent
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“As I said, our conversations right now are about mapping out AJ’s next four or five fights … his 2024 and potentially the rest of his career.
“I think he’s gonna fight in March, then I guess he fights in August, September, so whether it’s three times in the calendar year or three times from March to March, something like that.”
