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Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua’s return in 2025 will be a “development” that will prepare him for a huge risk in 2026.

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Image: "Let's Run It": Anthony Joshua Responds to Jake Paul's Challenge, Building Towards a Massive 2026 Fight

Eddie Hearn confirmed last night that if Anthony Joshua fights before the end of 2025 it will be a “development” fight to sign him “100% ready” for the “huge risk” fight in 2026. He claims that for Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) it would be a card fight, not the main job.

Who fits into Joshua’s “development” plan?

Hearn’s mention of a “huge risk” for Joshua suggests he has not abandoned his vision of a “Battle of Britain” taking place between him and Tyson Fury in 2026. He doesn’t seem to be taking Fury entirely seriously regarding his desire to remain retired due to his age, gray hair, and being “too luxurious” to continue.

Fury is the only player Hearn has shown a desire to match Joshua and it is understandable why. He is by far the most popular heavyweight in the division. The undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, has already defeated Joshua twice and there is no point in organizing a third fight. Fans don’t want to see Joshua lose a third time and it’s doubtful Hearn would bother encouraging this type of contest.

“There won’t be any huge name fights this year unless it’s Jake Paul,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. Social boxing on Anthony Joshua’s status ahead of his next fight. “It wouldn’t be a headline. It wouldn’t be a pay-per-view. You don’t have to complain about it. It could be part of something that already existed and is on sale. So no one will moan.”

Pool of sluggish, Chinese and frail candidates

If Joshua decides to fight on the undercard in December, it will have to be someone sluggish, slender and frail. It would be too risky to put AJ with one of the live dogs like Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel or Moses Itauma and watch him get knocked out.

Five secure choices for Joshua’s December return

  • Arslanbek Makhmudov
  • Michael Hunter
  • Mahmud Carr
  • Guido Vianello
  • Stephan Shaw

“It’s just part of the development to be 100% ready for huge risks [in 2026]. It doesn’t matter where. It’s not fight night with Anthony Joshua,” Hearn said of Joshua’s next fight if he were to return to the ring in 2025. “Not this year,” Eddie said AJ won’t be headlining the event if he fights in 2025.

Finding the right guy to tune the AJ

I don’t know anything about Joshua’s “development” talk that Hearn is talking about. That sounds like it talk twice. Joshua is 36 years aged and as developed as ever. It’s more about making AJ look like pure gold come December by sharpening him up a bit and protecting him, making sure he destroys his opponent without getting hit by anything bigger.

“If he fights this year, he won’t be in the main fight because it won’t be one of those type of fights. We want to work almost in silence, improve and get into the mode to be 100% ready. It’s about development and some activity,” Hearn said.

Last update: 11/02/2025

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Bill Haney commented on the Keyshawn Davis situation, says Shakur Stevenson’s fight is the most significant

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Image: Bill Haney Addresses Keyshawn Davis Situation, Says Shakur Stevenson Fight Comes First

“This man said he wanted the number 144,” Bill told Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We’ve got to sit down like businessmen and make this happen,’ right? Well, we’ve already sat down like businessmen. We’re ready to make it happen.”

Elder Haney also rejected suggestions that the catchweight proposal would represent a sudden change of plans.

“It’s not so sudden. 144 is a welterweight. Are you crazy or what?” Haney said. “At welterweight, we range from 140 to 147.”

As the conversation turned to Keyshawn Davis and his position as a top contender for the WBO title, Haney repeatedly pointed to what he believed to be a better opportunity.

“What is the most significant boxing fight going on right now?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”

Haney acknowledged that Davis remains part of the bigger picture, but pointed out that Stevenson’s matchup has been years in the making.

“This case has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it was,” Haney said. “Just rest and we’ll get it done. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on the list, and he’ll stay on the list.”

Time will tell if the fight comes to fruition, but Bill Haney’s comments were perhaps the strongest indication yet that Team Haney is sedate about racing Stevenson at the proposed catchweight of 144 pounds.

The situation could become more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to fulfill his mandatory obligation to Davis. Until then, it appears the Haneys are turning their attention to what they believe is the biggest fight available.

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Oscar De La Hoya says Gervonta Davis doesn’t deserve to have an undefeated record before her comeback

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Oscar De La Hoya says that Gervonta Davis does not deserve undefeated record ahead of comeback

Oscar De La Hoya believes Gervonta Davis’ professional record should see a loss ahead of his potential comeback fight.

It is said that the 31-year-old is in negotiations for a fight for the WBA lightweight title with Floyd Schofield Jr, offering “Tank” the opportunity to regain his elderly belt.

Davis defended his world title after: controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025, but has since become the sanctioning body’s “halt champion” at 135 pounds.

This is partly due to his passivity, but also to the American’s problems outside the ring, where he faced accusations of domestic violence.

However, it currently appears that Davis could return to action soon, with a potential fight with Schofield set for September or October.

These negotiations involve Schofield’s promoter, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya, who insists that “Tank” should suffer his first professional defeat in the match against Roach.

Their match ended in a draw after referee Steve Willis ruled against a knockdown in round nine when Davis clearly touched the canvas following a shot by Roach.

As a result, De La Hoya said Fighting Hub TV that Roach should have back-to-back victories over “Tank” and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom he boxed in December to a less controversial draw.

“Roach is a great fighter in his own right. He has some really good wins under his belt. I say he wins because I think he really won against ‘Tank’ Davis and I think he did a great job against ‘Pitbull.’

If Davis and Schofield’s respective teams are unable to reach an agreement by June 22, their mandate quarterback will be sent to a bidding hearing.

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Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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