Promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that an announcement regarding Anthony Joshua could be imminent after revealing that the British heavyweight recently turned down an approach from a rival promoter.

Joshua last fought in December, stopping influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in six rounds before shifting his attention to a loosely planned mega-fight with fellow Briton Tyson Fury in 2026.

However, the former two-time world heavyweight champion was involved in a car crash just 10 days after the victory over Paul. The accident, which occurred in Nigeria, claimed the lives of two members of Joshua’s team, while the boxer himself sustained injuries.

The tragedy briefly cast doubt over Joshua’s immediate fighting future. But the 36-year-old soon returned to the gym, with Hearn previously suggesting that a summer bout could be on the horizon.

Fueling further speculation, Hearn posted a photo on Instagram on Wednesday showing himself accompanying Joshua during a past ring walk, captioning the image with the single word: “Loading.”

The teaser came a day after Hearn disclosed that Joshua had rejected an offer from another promoter, a revelation that followed the shock departure of welterweight contender Conor Benn from Hearn’s promotional outfit, Matchroom Boxing.

In February, Benn parted ways with Matchroom to sign with Zuffa Boxing, a new venture headed by Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. White has frequently traded verbal jabs with Hearn in recent months.

Benn’s exit came despite Matchroom backing the fighter throughout a two-year saga that saw him barred from fighting in Britain after failing two drug tests in 2022.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hearn praised Joshua’s loyalty.

“He won’t mind me saying it, but AJ had an approach around the back a couple of weeks ago,” Hearn said.

“Do you know how quickly he sent me the message — the screenshot? Seconds. ‘Let me know what you want to reply.’

“We’re a team. ’Til the wheels come off, we’re a team, and I’ve got your back always. That’s just how it is.”

Around the time of Joshua’s fight with Paul, he had also been linked with kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven. However, Verhoeven has now been matched with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair are expected to clash in a blockbuster bout at the Pyramids of Giza in May, with Usyk’s WBC title on the line.

Meanwhile, Fury is emerging from his fifth retirement to face Russian contender Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11. The Briton has long been linked with a long-anticipated showdown against Joshua but has also expressed interest in a trilogy bout with Usyk.

The Ukrainian handed Fury the only defeats of his professional career when he outpointed him twice in 2024, and he revealed this week that he would be open to a third fight with the “Gypsy King.”

Joshua’s next opponent remains uncertain, though German-based contender Agit Kabayel appears to be the odd man out among the heavyweight elite.

In May, Britain’s Fabio Wardley will defend the WBO title against compatriot Daniel Dubois, while Kabayel stands as the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBC belt.

Another intriguing twist came last week when Hearn signed Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion, to Matchroom’s newly launched talent agency — a move that raised eyebrows given Hearn’s ongoing rivalry with White.

With speculation swirling and Hearn teasing developments, attention now turns to Joshua’s camp as fans await confirmation of the former champion’s next move. (The Guardian)

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