Anthony Joshua reopening the door to a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk would have sounded unrealistic a few years ago. Now it sounds possible, even after two defeats and a friendship that has developed between the pair outside the ring.
That shift was made clearer this week when promoter Eddie Hearn admitted that Joshua would “love” another shot at Usyk despite losing twice to the Ukrainian southpaw in 2021 and 2022. Historically, heavyweight bouts rarely continue after one fighter has won the first two fights cleanly. Boxing usually moves on. This situation seems to be moving in the opposite direction.
Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) has spent recent years rebuilding both his career and public image following back-to-back losses to Usyk. During that time, the relationship between the two heavyweights changed completely. They trained together, appeared comfortable around each other in public and dropped the acrimony that often follows major heavyweight bouts.
That’s part of what makes Hearn’s comments unusual.
“I don’t think so,” Hearn said this week when asked if Joshua’s friendship with Usyk would stop another fight. “But boxing is a funny old game. Part of AJ will always want to fight Usyk because he’s beaten twice. And the same with Fury. They’re rivals. They want to try and take him on again.”
The heavyweight division began operating under a different set of rules in the Saudi Arabia era. Notoriety and commercial value now carry almost as much weight as unfinished competitive business. Tyson Fury is also openly considering a third fight with Usyk despite losing twice himself.
In previous eras, a fighter losing two straight title fights to the same opponent usually ended the chapter. Joshua-Usyk III would completely reverse that logic. Instead of competitive tension driving the question, it would be legacy and personal redemption.
Joshua still has work to do before that discussion gets serious. He returns in July against Kristian Prenga before an expected showdown with Fury later this year. Hearn made it clear the immediate focus remains on those two fights.
“His ultimate goal is to win the world heavyweight championship again,” Hearn said. “He wants to beat Tyson Fury, and he wants to win the world heavyweight championship again.”
However, the idea still hangs there. Not long ago, the image of Joshua jogging alongside Usyk on a beach would have seemed impossible. Now the possibility exists that two fighters who became sparring partners after a one-sided rivalry could finally share the ring for a third time anyway.
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Last updated on 2026/05/17 at 17:44
