- By Kal Sajad
- ` Sport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1 hour ago
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Joshua (left) has won 27 fights and lost three, while Ngannou was defeated in his only professional boxing fight
Promoter Eddie Hearn believes heavyweight Anthony Joshua could be just one win away from fighting for the undisputed world title despite a two-fight contract between champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Briton Joshua meets former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
WBC belt holder Fury will also meet Ukrainian unified champion Usyk in the Saudi capital Riyadh in May. The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
“Joshua’s dream was always to be undisputed,” Hearn told ` Sport.
“If AJ beats Ngannou and Fury beats Usyk, the whole world will be calling for Fury against Joshua.”
“It’s probably one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Certainly the biggest fight in boxing right now.”
Fury-Joshua unlikely in 2024
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Two-time world champion Joshua defeated Otto Wallin in December
In January, Saudi Turki Alalshikh – one of boxing's leading power brokers – revealed plans for the winner of Joshua-Ngannou to be next in line for a shot at the undisputed title.
The chairman of Saudi Arabia's general entertainment authority has quickly become one of the most influential figures in boxing with the kingdom's riches behind him.
“He wants to fight the biggest fights out there,” Hearn said. “He’s a big fan, just like us and everyone else. If he has the ability to take the fight, I’m sure he will do everything he can to make it happen.”
But despite Alalshikh's big plans and Matchroom promoter Hearn's optimism, the prospect of Joshua challenging Fury for all four world titles in his next fight seems unlikely.
Internally, broadcaster DAZN does not assume that Fury-Joshua will take place before 2025.
Queensberry's Frank Warren, who represents Fury and also helps promote Joshua-Ngannou, is not convinced Usyk would withdraw – unless injury or other external factors prevent him from playing the second leg.
“Obviously AJ-Fury is the fight we all want to see because at the end of the day it’s two Brits and there’s been this rivalry between them and the two advertising companies for God knows how many years,” Warren said.
“I think Tyson wins the fight against Usyk, but then do you see Usyk and his management team resigning?”
“I do not do that. Mainly because of the money involved. But anything can happen in boxing.”
The vacant title is more likely for AJ, Ngannou is planning an MMA return
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“I heard Joshua doesn’t have a chin” – Ngannou
There is not expected to be a rematch between Usyk and Fury for all four titles. The IBF has written to both teams that the winner must face the sanctioning body's mandatory challenger and no exception will be granted for a second fight.
Joshua had made clear his ambition to become a three-time world champion and the more likely scenario for the 34-year-old, should he beat Ngannou, would be a fight for the vacant title against Croatia's number one ranked IBF fighter Filip Hrgovic.
A victory over boxing newcomer Ngannou is also not a given.
The French Cameroonian suffered a narrow split decision loss to Fury in his first professional fight in October after dropping the Gypsy King in the third round.
“AJ is very proud of his resume and his legacy, but when he loses to a man who was defeated in his only professional fight, it doesn't look good,” Hearn added.
“A defeat would put him way back in the pecking order after all the work we have done to be back at the top.”
A surprise win over Joshua would bolster Ngannou's legitimacy as a heavyweight contender.
Fury has also spoken about a possible rematch with Ngannou in the future, but the 37-year-old is set to return to MMA this summer with the Professional Fighters League, with the promotion aiming to announce an opponent later this month.
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