Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring is now likely to be pushed back to early 2023.
The former heavyweight champion suffered a second bruising defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August, failing to reclaim the IBF, WBO and WBA titles he lost to the Ukrainian in London last year.
Joshua was determined to return before the end of the year with his promoter Eddie Hearn targeting a ‘top 15-ranked’ opponent for the Olympian.
Those plans were shelved when Tyson Fury offered his rival a shot at his WBC heavyweight title. Joshua accepted a 60-40 split of the first purse in Fury’s favour, also agreeing to his 3 December date.
Those negotiations broke down however with Fury now set to face Derek Chisora for a third time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Boxing Scene report that Joshua has now decided to push back his return to February or early March next year.
That fight could be followed by a summer rematch with old foe Dillian Whyte, with the two sharing a ferocious rivalry that culminated in a seventh round knockout victory for Joshua in December 2015.
When asked if Joshua vs Whyte will be targeted for a stadium fight, Hearn told Metro.co.uk in September: “For sure, it is a fight we all want.
“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.”
Whyte meanwhile is set to return on 26 November with a deal thought to be close for a fight against unbeaten American Jermaine Franklin.
“ We are very close to finalising a deal for Jermaine Franklin to face Dillian Whyte in London on November 26th on DAZN,” Franklin’s promoter Dmitry Salita told Lord Ping.
“If you have not heard of Jermaine Franklin you’re about to discover a fighter who is destined for big things, we have a future heavyweight champion on our hands.
“Jermaine is young, hungry, skilled and has waited patiently for his opportunity. I believe there is no better opponent for him to face than Whyte at this stage of his career.”
