Boxing
Joshua’s return in 2025. “50-50” – just a grueling fight
Published
7 months agoon
Eddie Hearn says it’s a “50-50” there is a possibility that Anthony Joshua will fight before the end of the year. He claims that if A.J fights, it will be uncomplicated “a fight of attrition“I an undercard fight, not a headliner.
No risky opponents for Joshua
It’s a substantial hint from Matchroom promoter Hearn that Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) won’t fight anyone who has even the slightest risk of causing him problems. This means you can basically rule out these four:
- Arslanbek Makhmudov
- Guido Vianello
- Marcin Bakole
- Tony Yoka
The younger version of Joshua can be safely matched up against these players without any major concerns. However, in the current situation he finds himself in at the age of 35, after a devastating fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois and a 13-month layoff, it would be madness to pit him against any of the above fighters.
Vianello calls for a showdown in Rome
2016 Olympian Vianello (14-3-1, 12 KO) challenged AJ following his fifth-round knockout of previously undefeated Alexis Barriere last Saturday, October 11, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The gigantic, 180 cm elevated, Italian-born Vianello (31) wants to fight Joshua Colosseum in Rome. It would be a great atmosphere, but too risky for AJ.
Not a headliner – just a “fight of exhaustion”
If he fights this year, that’s it be a grueling fight because coming back to a tough fight after a year and a half break is not always that uncomplicated,” said Eddie Hearn iFL Television about the possibility of Anthony Joshua fighting before the end of 2025.
It’s sheltered to say that whoever Joshua fights next, it won’t be someone with the punching power to dent his chin. This virtually rules out any of the top-tier contenders, as most of them have power and are younger than Joshua.
Reconstruction does not restore trust
Hearn forced Joshua into a four-fight rebuild following his 12-round split decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch on August 20, 2022. AJ exhausted two years of his career fighting fringe fighters to revitalize him: Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, Francis Ngannou and Jermaine Franklin. It didn’t work. When Joshua faced Dubois last year, in September 2022, he was destroyed.
Fighting the Fury is still the goal
“This year is not about money. The idea is to wrap your arms around them, go in and put them in someone’s jaw. Then back to the camp, preparations for the next one and the fight with Tyson Fury. So it’s 50-50 whether he will fight this year. But if he does, he will be added to the card. He won’t be a headliner,” Hearn said.
Joshua needs a elevated striker who can emulate Fury’s fighting style. However, it makes no sense for Hearn to plan as if the fight with the “Gypsy King” would take place when he hasn’t said a word about returning to the ring to fight him.
If he agrees to fight Joshua, he may want a fortune in front of him. Is he really worth it? Fury lost his last two fights against Usyk and looked older than his chronological age of 37.
If Tyson fails to find the Fountain of Youth to drink from, his performance against Joshua will be similar, if the fight happens at all. Mentally, he no longer seems to want to fight after losing twice to Usyk. Plus he made a lot of money from these fights. He reportedly has the purse for the first and second fights $105 million AND $94.4 millionappropriately.
Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2010 and writing for Boxing News 24 since 2014. He has been based in the UK and currently covers the world boxing scene, providing fight news, results and features that allow fans to hear the biggest stories in the sport.
With a background in reporting from the UK and Europe, Olly has developed a style that combines keen analysis with accessible writing, making his work valuable to dedicated followers and casual fans alike. His reports consistently highlight champions, challengers and emerging prospects on the global stage.
Last update: 13/10/2025
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Boxing
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
Published
1 hour agoon
April 28, 2026
Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales, who is the same age as Floyd Mayweather, presented his version of the 49-year-old’s expected rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
The two pound-for-pound icons will face off in a professional competition on September 19, headlining the Netflix event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, their second meeting seemed to be in jeopardy after Mayweather stated last month that it would be an exhibition match.
Pacquiao and his team have since stated that it will be a fully sanctioned fight, but we are still waiting for an official announcement.
Their first meeting took place in 2015 and earned Mayweather a unanimous decision victory in an event that quickly became known as the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
Shortly thereafter Pacquiao claimed he entered the welterweight fight with a shoulder injurybut he never had the opportunity to exact his revenge.
But now the 47-year-old hopes to break Mayweather’s 50-0 record after ending his nearly four-year hiatus from professional boxing last July.
But while the Filipino drew with Mario Barrios, the then-WBC welterweight champion, many suggested he and Mayweather shouldn’t be entering the ring at this stage of their lives.
One of them is Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times, winning the first meeting but losing the next two. He told Fight Hub TV that the rematch would be won by the Hall of Famer who turned down the fight the least.
“We’re not at the age to get into fights. But hey, it’ll be intriguing. Whoever arrives the least injured and a little faster, [will win]”
Erik Morales Predicts Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2‼️‼️
“We’re not at the age to get into fights… This will be intriguing. Whoever wins must come to fight less hurt and a little faster!” – Erik Morales
Watch Benavidez vs. Zurdo this Saturday on DAZN. Go to… pic.twitter.com/6fVLRqTza1
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) April 27, 2026
Ahead of any rematch with Pacquiao, Mayweather confirmed he would fight Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27.
“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel told Sky Sports. “Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same venerable story, just novel date.”
The comments question Eddie Hearn’s recent suggestions that Anthony Joshua could face Wilder ahead of his planned clash with Tyson Fury in slow 2026.
Joshua is instead scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyad, ending any immediate speculation about the long-discussed clash with Wilder.
Just a few weeks ago, Eddie Hearn was here calling Wilder a warm-up fight for Joshua’s scheduled fight with Tyson Fury. This is a solemn marketing move. This keeps the fans engaged and gives the impression that AJ is willing to take on the most risky puncher in the league just to keep himself busy.
However, Shelly Finkel’s answer is fascinating. He firmly stated that there was “no reason” to be frustrated because no real approach was ever taken. If Hearn was solemn, the first step would have been to email or call Finkel. According to Wilder’s camp, such a thing never happened.
Instead of Wilder, Joshua is now officially scheduled to face the little-known Prenga. This move serves two purposes for Joshua’s camp: It is a much safer fight as Joshua rehabs from his car accident earlier this year. It also opens the door to a massive fight with Fury in slow 2026 without the risk of Wilder ruining a payday with one right hand.
This has been a pattern for years. We saw this in 2019 when uncontested talks failed, and again in 2023 when both were on the “Day of Reckoning” card but never actually paired up.
Wilder, who recently returned to the ring after a victory over Derek Chisora, also mentioned his interest in a future fight with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Finkel’s comments suggest that Joshua’s fight remains in familiar territory, being discussed publicly but never formally pursued behind the scenes.
Boxing
Hall of Fame champion claims he would be the one to beat Terence Crawford: ‘I’m going to win’
Published
5 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
Many consider “Bud” to be one of the greatest welterweight champions of all time, considering his size undisputed triumph over Errol Spence Jr in 2023
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
Anthony Joshua had “no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder
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