Promoter Eddie Hearn has meticulously outlined the next three steps in Anthony Joshua's journey towards undisputed heavyweight dominance. The plan kicks off with Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion, squaring off against Francis Ngannou in a highly anticipated ten-round bout on March 8th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hearn expressed his strategic timing for this match-up, suggesting a favorable outcome for Joshua that aligns with Tyson Fury's expected victory, paving the way for Joshua's ascent. However, Hearn cautiously hopes for a Joshua stoppage against Ngannou, acknowledging the potential risks if Joshua aggressively seeks a knockout.
The second stage of Joshua’s path involves capitalizing on the aftermath of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury bout for the undisputed title scheduled on May 18th. Hearn is optimistic about maneuvering Joshua into a world title fight against the victor, though this hinges on the Saudi authorities' willingness to bypass the existing rematch clause between the two champions.
Should direct access to the Fury-Usyk winner prove unattainable post-Ngannou clash, Hearn has identified a third stage for Joshua. This involves facing Filip Hrgovic for the IBF mandatory position, ensuring Joshua remains in contention for the world title and setting the stage for a future clash with the Fury-Usyk victor.
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