Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has wasted no time returning to training just days after delivering a brutal knockout blow to Francis Ngannou in their ‘Knockout Chaos’ bout on Friday, March 8.
Joshua showcased his dominance by dropping the former UFC heavyweight champion three times in two rounds, culminating in a dramatic finish with a powerful right hand.
While the boxing world eagerly anticipates the upcoming bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, Joshua has already set his sights on his next challenge.
With Fury and Usyk likely tied up in an immediate rematch, Joshua is determined not to sit idle and has his eyes fixed on a summer return to the ring.
Speaking, Joshua revealed his tentative plans, stating, “Whether it will be in the UK, who knows? But maybe June, or July.”
The landscape of the heavyweight division could undergo significant changes depending on the outcomes of upcoming fights. If Fury or Usyk are stripped of their IBF title due to the rematch clause, Joshua, as the number one contender, could find himself in line to challenge for the belt against interim champion Filip Hrgovic.
Despite initially signing on to face Deontay Wilder, Joshua’s plans shifted after Wilder’s unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker in December.
Parker’s subsequent victory over Zhilei Zhang at the ‘Knockout Chaos’ event further solidified his standing as a potential opponent for Joshua’s next bout.
Considering his options, Joshua expressed interest in facing any of the three heavyweights: “Wilder, Zhang, Parker. All of them. Let’s go!”
As the heavyweight division gears up for a summer showdown, Joshua’s return to training signals his readiness to reclaim his status at the pinnacle of the sport.
