A devastating knockout to floor Francis Ngannou was a stark reminder of his ability, and the latest post-match Anthony Joshua next opponent odds favour a long-awaited meeting with fellow Briton Tyson Fury.
What Next For Anthony Joshua?
Anthony Joshua appears to have his mojo back, even if his latest knockout victory came against a UFC veteran-turned-boxing novice with next-to-no head movement.
After several knock-downs in the opening rounds, the former two-time heavyweight champion landed a shattering blow that saw Ngannou buckle in the second round. All the pre-match hype over Ngannou’s ability to rock Tyson Fury in his previous fight was washed away in a matter of minutes.
So, what next for a seemingly calm, level-headed Joshua? In a boxing match that so easily could have signalled the end his career at the very top, Joshua showed there is still plenty left in the tank.
There is impending business across the heavyweight division, all of which could have huge implications for Anthony Joshua and his potential next opponent.
Below InstantCasinos analyse the latest odds to see who could be up next, along with an in-depth look into each competitor’s current availability.
Anthony Joshua Next Opponent Odds
- Tyson Fury 2/1
- Filip Hrgovic 11/4
- Dillian Whyte 7/2
- Oleksandr Usyk 6/1
- Joseph Parker 8/1
- Zhilei Zhang 12/1
- Daniel Dubois 20/1
Daniel Dubois
Former WBA heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is still well within the heavyweight conversation at just 26, and with youth on his side, the division may open up as the old guard begin to fade.
For now, an all-British fight with Joshua appears unlikely at 20/1, although Joshua may want to cut his teeth a few more times before setting a date with those further up the market.
Dubois represents the optimal stop-gap challenge having won all but one of his 20 victories by way of knockout. Oleksandr Usyk is the toughest opponent he has come up against, inflicting one of only two career defeats.
Zhilei Zhang
Fresh off the back of defeat to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia – the same night Joshua floored Ngannou – Zhilei Zhang has since confirmed his intentions for a rematch.
The 40-year-old lost the WBO interim heavyweight title in the process and appears eager to snatch is back. The timeline for a rematch is unclear, but his co-manager Terry Lane confirmed that is the likeliest career move.
Zhang managed to knock down Parker on two separate occasions, and may feel he has more to give despite the unanimous decision.
Commercially, a bout with Zhang appeals given the Chinese audience, but for Joshua he likely has his eyes set on other prospects.
Joseph Parker
Jospeh Parker has clawed back his reputation in the heavyweight division, rattling off five consecutive wins including matches against Zhang, as mentioned, and Deontay Wilder.
Joshua has previously conquered Parker, and may feel there is little point in a rematch other than to keep himself sharp. However, given Parker’s rejuvenated career, he represents a stern test.
Oleksandr Usyk
One more to complete the trilogy?
Joshua could well wait it out for the winner of the undisputed and unified title fight between Usyk and Fury to be decided. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said there would be nothing stopping Joshua from entering the frame for a title fight, once either Usyk or Fury have unified the belts.
There is the small matter of an already-scheduled rematch between the two before Joshua can think about stepping in the ring with ether fighter.
Usyk has already dealt Joshua two defeats; revenge would undoubtedly taste sweeter with belts on each shoulder.
Dillian Whyte
A long-established rivalry with Dillian Whyte could be reignited after appearing to be dead in the water. Last August, the ‘Brixton Body Snatcher’ once again returned a positive test for a banned substance for the third time.
If he gets cleared to compete by the Board of Control, and manages to prevail against Christian Hammer, this is a plausible trilogy fight while Joshua waits patiently for a shot at regaining his titles.
Filip Hrgovic
The IBF will mandate the winner of Fury and Usyk’s fight to defend the heavyweight belt against mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.
Since Fury and Usyk are now bound by contract for two scheduled fights, that mandatory fight with Hrgovic will likely never come to fruition, meaning the IBF could strip the winner of the title.
Since Joshua is ranked number three by the IBF, they could eventually order him and Hrgovic to lock horns for the belt, should they strip the title from the winner of Fury vs Usyk.
Tyson Fury
A long overdue Battle of Britain between Joshua and Fury is the clash every boxing fan is clambering to see.
It appears some way down the line, but could Joshua wait it out patiently for Usyk and Fury to complete their double-billing? The bookmakers seem to think so, although it could be 2025 by the time Joshua steps back into the ring, should he choose to conserve himself.
