Who will Anthony Joshua fight next? Four men most likely in line for a shot at the king
With AJ fast becoming the biggest star in world boxing, there are no shortage of volunteers willing to step in and fight the unified heavyweight king.
Fans have been clamouring for an all-Brit showdown with reigning The Ring and lineal heavyweight champ Tyson Fury.
But with the 29-year-old’s future in the sport still uncertain, Starsport takes a look at four of the other candidates who could be next in line for the 20-0 knockout king.
David Haye Former heavyweight world champion David Haye has long fancied a shot at his young successor, throwing his name into the hat on a number of occasions in the past.
But a shock loss to Tony Bellew in April derailed any hopes the 37-year-old had of a money-spinning showdown between the veteran star and the young pretender AJ.
Haye was granted a rematch with Bellew for December this year – and the Bermondsey man knows defeat would surely bring the curtain down on his storied career.
Only victory would ensure his name is in the hat for a potential blockbuster bout with Joshua next summer – a fight that almost every British boxing fan would love to see.
Dillian Whyte Had AJ cruised past the challenge of Dillian Whyte with ease in 2015, it is unlikely the 29-year-old would ever share the ring with the Olympic gold medallist again.
But a stiff left hook from the Jamaican shook Joshua to his boots during their seven-round battle at the O2 Arena, showing AJ could be hurt for the first time in his professional career.
A monster uppercut put Whyte to sleep in the following round – but there is a sense of unsettled business between the pair that would make for a fascinating rematch down the line.
For now, Whyte is being carefully manoeuvred through the WBC rankings by promoter Eddie Hearn with a shot at Deontay Wilder’s heavyweight title looking increasingly likely. Victory against the powerful American would make a rematch with Joshua inevitable.
Joseph Parker Once hailed as New Zealand’s answer to Anthony Joshua, Parker’s stock has fallen in recent months after back-to-back defences of his WBO world heavyweight title proved to be snore-fests for even the most ardent boxing fan.
A record of 18 knockouts in his 24 professional fights show the Kiwi powerhouse has the potential to become a fearsome foe for AJ on his quest to unify the heavyweight belts.
But first, 25-year-old Parker will need to prove he is a big enough draw – both financially and stylistically – to lure Joshua into a fight.
Deontay Wilder Reigning WBC champion Deontay Wilder has been increasingly vociferous in his pursuit of Anthony Joshua in recent months, having witnessed AJ’s historic victory over Wladimir Klitschko in the flesh.
The 32-year-old worked the fight as an analyst that night as 90,000 people packed into Wembley Stadium to watch Joshua’s coming of age against a legend of the sport.
Despite 37 knockouts in 38 professional contests, criticism has been levelled at Wilder for his resume, having rarely been tested against elite opposition.
A fight against Dillian Whyte – rumoured for early next year – could prove a good measure of the Olympic bronze medallist’s credentials, with victory ensuring that the Alabama man will find himself first in line for a shot at AJ’s crown.