AJ's three-fight plan revealed by Eddie Hearn as Fury drops shock five-fight run
ANTHONY JOSHUA is eyeing a world title shot after back-to-back wins this year, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed.
AJ will look to further revive his career in his crossover clash with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou next one month.
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Saudi boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh wants to pit the winner of the Riyadh rumble against the winner of Tyson Fury's rescheduled uncontested showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
However, the rematch clause in the pair's contract means a showdown with mandatory IBF heavyweight title challenger Filip Hrgovic will be next for AJ if he has to beat Ngannou.
But Matchroom boxing chief Hearn believes the Watford warrior will ultimately face the winner of Fury vs Usyk on the other side of the ring.
He told iFL TV: “The timing worked perfectly for AJ to stop Ngannou and for Fury to win.
“We appreciate that there is a fight and a rematch, but you know how things are going to go.
“Come on, you know how His Excellency moves.
“When the biggest fight in the history of the sport is in front of you to make sure that I will definitely find a way to keep everyone happy and fight that battle, but it's not relevant right now.
“We need that fight and now that fight is happening two months after our fight.
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“So it sounds more likely if AJ prevails [he] will fight Filip Hrgovic for a world title, and that's fine.
'And then we will fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk.
“AJ's like, 'Sign me up for anything, I'm going to beat everyone.'
WBC heavyweight king Fury this week dispelled retirement rumors by revealing plans to at least fight FOUR MORE TIMES after his dance with Usyk.
The Gypsy King insists he won't end his career without the domestic row with Joshua, a statement that came as music to Hearn's ears.
The 44-year-old said: “I'd love to hear this. Boxing would be a worse or weaker place without Tyson Fury, keep him in the sport.
“Here's what I told you, he's got the bit between his teeth. Well, I like seeing Tyson Fury like this.
“Good luck to him, he says two Usyk fights, but I believe there will be one. I love it, it's music to my ears.
“Guess what, Hrgovic is going to knock out Ngannou and beat Hrgovic if that's what he has to do.
“Then he will beat Tyson Fury.”