Nigerian-born former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, has been granted yet another opportunity to revive his career, as he is now listed for a title fight in February.
Sports247 gathered that, although Joshua is not among the top five-ranked fighters in his class, his iconic image and status as a former two-time world champion have given him an edge.
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Consequently, the London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist has been named as a likely opponent in Fabio Wardley’s WBO world title defence.
It would be a huge chance for Joshua to get one of his belts back, as Wardley was upgraded to full heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title.
Joshua is currently ranked No. 10 with the WBO and would be eligible to take on Wardley next year, if ‘AJ’ does not secure his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury.
After his bout against Jake Paul on December 19th, Joshua will set his sights on Fury as part of Saudi Arabia’s investment in major boxing events.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, however, stated that ‘AJ’ is likely to box in February in Riyadh before pursuing a contest with Fury later in 2026.
The maverick promoter further acknowledged that a world title fight with Wardley is appealing for Joshua, if the Fury bout cannot be agreed.
Hearn explained: “The plan really in the hands of Turki Alalshikh was a fight in February in Riyadh and then Tyson Fury.
“If that can’t happen, a fight with Fabio Wardley for the world heavyweight title, why not? That’s still the aim.”
