Anthony Joshua could make U-turn on plan to make boxing return in December and be back sooner, says Barry Hearn
ANTHONY JOSHUA could make a U-turn on his planned boxing return having revealed he will sit out until December.
AJ returned with a victory at the start of April over 12 rounds against Jermaine Franklin, following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Promoter Eddie Hearn hoped it would be the first in a hat-trick of 2023 bouts to keep the two-time heavyweight champion busy.
But days later, Joshua posted on Instagram: "My next fight is scheduled for December.
"Not ideal but everything is part of a bigger picture."
Despite the shock revelation, Hearn's Hall of Fame father Barry warned not to rule out a change of plan.
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He told : “Firstly, I think there were a few misquotes about he’s not boxing until December. He’s thinking about not boxing until December.
“I love Anthony but he’s on holiday at the moment, He’s having a good time. He spends his life in training camps.
“When you’re having a good time, you like to carry on having a good time, but I know Anthony a bit better than that.
“I won’t be a 100 per cent surprised to see a U-turn on that."
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Joshua, 33, is currently enjoying time off in Dubai, before planning a trip back to Texas for more training under new coach Derrick James.
It comes amid rumours of a fight against Deontay Wilder, 37, in December in Saudi Arabia.
And Tyson Fury, 34, would also face Usyk, 36, with the winners of the two bouts meeting in a proposed tournament.
It would tie into Joshua's plan to wait till the end of the year to fight following his comeback victory against American Franklin, 29.
