Anthony Joshua has the contract for a blockbuster battle with Tyson Fury but could take a warm-up fight in July before facing his British rival in November.
Fury has already signed for the long-awaited all-British mega fight and issued a fresh challenge to Joshua after his points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
Joshua did not commit to the Fury fight amid speculation he could take a warm-up bout in July after he was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria which resulted in the tragic deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele in December.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports: “I don’t know if Fury has signed or not, that is his business. If he has then that is great.
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Fury grabbed the mic and bellowed a challenge for Joshua to fight him next, but failed to get a clear answer from his rival
“We received the contract last week, we are going through that.
“Obviously there has been a lot happening in AJ’s life and we want to make sure that he is ready to return to the ring.
“He is about to get the all clear in terms of the physical side to return to full training and that is great news.
“We expect to see him back in the ring in July. The original plan was to fight in March, then to fight Tyson Fury in August.
“Given everything that has happened, that has been delayed. July and November are the two dates that have been presented to us now and we expect to move forward.”
There has been speculation that Joshua’s July bout could be against Deontay Wilder.
Wilder welcomed a fight against the two-time world champion in the aftermath of his win over Derek Chisora and Hearn says they are exploring the possibility of AJ facing Wilder then Fury “back-to-back”.
“I think it is very likely [he will have a tune-up fight]. Given what happened, we were supposed to be doing that anyway,” he added.
“Fury has just had his tune-up fight with 12 really vital rounds to get him sharp for the next one and I expect us to do the same.
“Wilder would be a separate deal. We have made it clear we are willing to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury back-to-back.
“I am not being disrespectful that Wilder is a warm-up fight but AJ is very comfortable to go into that fight next.
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Highlights of Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov. Video courtesy of Netflix and The Ring. Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov is available to watch globally only on Netflix
“That is not the basis of the deal we have been offered but it is one we would be very interested in if it were offered and we want to look at that route.
“Some might perceive that to be the more dangerous option, especially when there is so much riding on Fury against Joshua, Netflix, everybody.
“I think they will probably be looking for a slightly easier option for Joshua like Fury had, with all due respect, and then move straight into that fight.
“100 per cent. [A warm-up fight in July then Fury in November] is the plan.”
Despite the plans Hearn and AJ’s camp would like to get in place, those in Wilder’s camp say that no discussions have taken place as of yet.
Deontay Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, told Sky Sports: “This is all new to me.
“I would like to speak with Eddie to see what he is thinking before I say anything.”
