Anthony Joshua to fight early next year (Chris Arreola?), then target Dillian Whyte in summer

Anthony Joshua’s immediate future is taking shape.

The return of the former heavyweight titleholder reportedly has been pushed back to February or March. If he wins that fight, he is expected to face Dillian Whyte in a rematch next summer.

Longtime contender Chris Arreola has said that he has been in contact with Joshua’s handlers to be his next opponent. However, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, insists he hasn’t been negotiating with the American fighter.

Otto Wallin also is rumored to be under consideration for early next year.

Joshua appeared to be on track to face WBC heavyweight beltholder and British rival Tyson Fury in a super fight this December. However, talks broke down.

Fury is now expected to face Derek Chisora a third time Dec. 3 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. An announcement is set for Thursday. And he could target fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship next year.

Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) is coming off back-to-back decision losses to Usyk. A meeting with Fury would’ve given him an opportunity to reclaim his place at the top of the division in one fell swoop but it would’ve been a dangerous fight.

Instead, he evidently will face a lesser opponent next and then Whyte after that.

Hearn confirmed to Metro.co.uk that Whyte is the man Joshua is targeting for the summer. He also mentioned a potential fight between Joshua and Deontay Wilder, another former titleholder.

“For sure, it is a fight we all want,” Hearn said, referring to Joshua vs. Whyte. … “The two biggest fights out there away from the world title fight are the Dillian Whyte fight, which must happen. It is a huge stadium fight next summer.

“The other is the Deontay Wilder fight, which is arguably the biggest fight in boxing, even bigger than Fury vs Usyk in all honesty. Two big fights and whoever has the belts at the of the summer, we will also be targeting.”

He went on: “The Dillian Whyte fight is definitely easier to make than the Wilder fight. But they are, as always, going to be wanted to be paid as much money as possible.

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“But I think it is quite easy for me to make that fight. AJ wants that fight, Dillian wants that fight and that’s a fight we will definitely see next summer.”

Fury stopped Whyte in six rounds this past April.

Story originally appeared on Boxing Junkie