Anthony Joshua will face Dillian Whyte in August, followed by Deontay Wilder in December.

 

Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua's promoter, has revealed the rest of the former heavyweight boxing champion's contests for this year.

Hearn revealed on Monday, May 29, that Joshua's camp has received communication from Tyson Fury's team about a possible fight, despite the fact that Fury has been linked to most heavyweights as he seeks a summer opponent.

“AJ had been expected to return this August in the UK, most likely against Dillian Whyte, and then take on Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in December.

Hearn said that they are 'interested' in a Fury fight, but are unlikely to change their plans in the 'hope' that the WBC champion is genuine.

Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said: “They’re (Fury’s team) telling us they want to fight you (Joshua), but we’re fighting in August and September, that’s our plan, but I’ll go through the process and see how real this is.

“Right now, our plan remains the same, August and Wilder in December; so, we’ll see what happens in Saudi Arabia this week. That’s our plan, that’s what we’re moving forward with this week, if we can’t make that happen we’ll 100 per cent look at the Fury fight.

“Will we give up those fights and the massive payday against Wilder on the hope of making the Fury fight, probably not, but I will go through the motions and see where we go with it.

“Of course, we’re interested in that fight, but we just don’t know what to think and the confidence we have in basing our plans around Tyson Fury is very thin.” If the all-British blockbuster becomes a reality, it will throw Saudi Arabia’s plans to host Fury-Usyk and Joshua-Wilder on the same night into disarray.