ANTHONY JOSHUA will begin his climb back up the world title ranks in “late March”.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion is in a rebuilding phase of his career following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
And promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to have the Brit back in the ring in the spring.
During an appearance on the DAZN Boxing show, Hearn said: “At the moment, AJ’s plans are he is due to fight in late March, and we’re locking that in.”
Joshua has plenty of fights available to him for his return to the ring – including a long overdue grudge match with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Hearn added: “Could that be Wilder? Possibly. I’m open to that conversation.
“In my head, because of the Andy Ruiz situation and everything, it was one for the summer or certainly 2023. We’re more than willing to have that conversation.
“Obviously, Dillian Whyte’s win during the weekend sort of opens up that situation for Whyte against AJ, but we also understand that AJ against Deontay Wilder is one of the biggest fights in boxing.
“So definitely, we’d be open to making that fight next or even the one after.”
Hearn, however, concedes a gunfight with Joshua may not be top of Wilder’s wish list, saying: “Maybe they’re trying to push the [Andy] Ruiz fight a little bit, or maybe they want it.
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“I have to reach out to Shelly [Finkel] (Wilder’s manager) today.
“There are a lot of options for Deontay Wilder. Firstly, I have the Anthony Joshua fight, which is a massive fight for Deontay Wilder.
“I also have the Dillian Whyte fight. I’d still like to make Dillian Whyte against Deontay Wilder.
“I’d be happy to look at both of those fights.
Joshua is planning to fight before the first quarter of 2023 comes to an end but is refusing to give a specific date for his return.
He said: “I don’t know [when I’ll be back].
“I was supposed to be in the ring this year, I’m going to be in the ring next year. I’ll be in the ring when I’m in the ring.
“I don’t want to make statements today and then I’ll get held to the cross.
“Do you know what I mean? When I’m ready, I’ll be back in the ring.”
