Eddie Hearn Reveals Anthony Joshua May Not Fight In August

Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua may not be fighting in August.

After Joshua returned to the win column with a win over Jermaine Franklin, the plan was to get another tune-up fight in August and then face Deontay Wilder in December. However, Hearn says Joshua may not fight in August, but they are hopeful they can find an opponent.

“By the way, we may not fight (in the summer),” Hearn said of Joshua in an interview with iFL TV (h/t BoxingScene). “Saudi don’t want us to fight. We want to fight. We want Anthony Joshua to fight. It’s in the best interest in his development under Derrick James, to his career, to fight. That is the plan. We will do everything we can for him to fight on August 12th.”

One potential opponent for Joshua in August is Jarrell Miller given the history they have. Yet, Eddie Hearn says that is not a fight they are talking about and doesn’t think it makes sense.

“I mean, it’s not a fight we are looking at,” Hearn said. “It’s not a fight that we’ve been offered. It’s not a fight we’re discussing. It’s not going to be Jarrell Miller on August 12th.”

As of right now, Eddie Hearn says they will continue to negotiate for August 12 but knows if a deal isn’t reached this week, Anthony Joshua won’t be fighting.

“The plan is still August 12 but we absolutely have to nail that down this week,” Hearn said. “We’re talking to a number of opponents right now. We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure he fights August 12… The Saudi conversations are ongoing. We’re closing in, I’m very confident that fight happens with Deontay Wilder. Our main priority now is to nail August 12 if he’s going to fight.”

Anthony Joshua is coming off the win over Franklin after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Would you like to see Anthony Joshua fight in August?