Hearn weighs ten opponents for Joshua to Dubois Ko -Loss

Eddie Hearn says there is a pool of “10 fighters” he is considering choosing as Anthony Joshua’s next opponent. Of the crowd, he named Martin Bakole, Ephesis Jagba and Tony Yoka as three possibilities.

Bakole a risky return of comeback

Match room promoter Hearn said he was not sure if Bakole (21-2, 16 COs) was the right option for former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua (28-4, 25 COs) to fight as Joshua came from 15 months. It would be a difficult battle for AJ, even if he didn’t come out a long break.

What complicates Hearn’s work is the bad knockout that AJ suffered against Daniel Dubois on September 21, 2024. Dubois knocked out Joshua in the fifth round. He fell AJ four times in the fight and ended that he was counted in round 5.

Jake Paul is still fighting on radar

Hearn states that he was still interested in Jake Paul fight for Joshua in the early 2026, but he is not sure if the popular fighter will go through his 14th match against Gerrvonta Davis without doing an injury. He will not let Joshua sit and wait for the outcome of the struggle.

Hearn tell Ifl tv That there is a “pool of I don’t know 10 fighters” that Anthony Joshua can fight next. “Bakole? Yes. This is not an easy struggle. You also have Ajagba. ‘

Bakole, 33, did not look good in his last two battles against Efe Ajbaga and Joseph Parker. Choosing him at this point would be a no-win situation for Joshua, as he would not receive credit for beating him. If AJ loses or struggles to win, he will be criticized by fans.

Tony Yoka brings size and reaches

Tony Yoka (14-3, 11 COs) would also be a difficult struggle, possibly for Joshua, and one for which he would not receive credit. Olympic gold medalist Yoka in 2016 came a record 3-3 in his last six fights, and his only victories came against obscure fighters.

Long opponents upset Joshua

At 6’7 `, Yoka has the size of Joshua possibly beating if his punching resistance is not harmed from his loss of Dubois. The 6’6 ″ AJ would not have the height and the benefit of Yoka as he enjoyed most of his career against smaller opposition. The high fighters that Joshua fought, 6’6 ″ Wladimir Klitschko and 6’5 ″ Dubois, gave him problems.

“You have to ask yourself that (Joshua) is out of the ring for 15 months, is it the right struggle to come in again? Maybe, ‘said Hearn about Bakole as an option for Joshua.

The way Hearn speaks, he does not sound eager to Joshua to fight bakole. You can’t blame him. Although Bakole had weight issues in his last two battles, he is still powerful and will be a threat to Joshua as long as he lasts.

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