Eddie Hearn says WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley is the backup option for Anthony Joshua if he can’t get the fight against Tyson Fury.
Challenging knockout artist Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) would be a risky fight for Joshua, and he could lose by knockout.
Can Joshua even make it to February?
As fans saw in Fabio’s 11th round knockout win over Joseph Parker on October 25th, he has a steel chin, elite level power and throws beautiful combinations. Wardley is a problem for anyone in the division, especially aging heavyweights coming off bad knockout losses.
Hearn states that Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) will fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February 2026, and then, hopefully, the match against Fury. As Matchroom promoter Hearn points out, the clash with the ‘Gypsy King’ Fury will require Turki Alalshikh to lure him out of retirement.
Hearn failed to mention what he would do if the 36-year-old Joshua loses his next fight against Jake Paul on December 19 of this month. It will definitely throw things off for AJ if he gets knocked out by Jake in their eight on Netflix at the Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida.
Hearn treated the fight like it was a walk in the park for Joshua, but the way he looked in his last fight, a four-count fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024, one can’t assume AJ will prevail against young gun Paul. There is a strong belief among boxing fans that Joshua’s striking resistance is gone after 12 hard years as a pro.
Hearn reveals the backup plan
“A fight in February in Riyadh and then Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury hasn’t been agreed yet. If that can’t happen, a fight with Fabio Wardley for the world heavyweight title. That’s still the goal,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. Sky Sports on Anthony Joshua’s plans for 2026.
“This is just an opportunity we couldn’t say no to,” Hearn said of the Dec. 19 Jake Paul fight. “But business as usual in 2026 will resume, and business as usual is trying to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, or beating Tyson Fury.
Last updated on 12/01/2025
