Eddie Hearn says that there is a pool of “10 fighters”, which is considering choosing as the next opponent of Anthony Joshua. From this group he mentioned Martin Bakole, Efe Jagba and Tony Yok as three possibilities.
Bakole, a risky choice of return
Promoter Matchroom, Hearn, said that he is not sure if Bakole (21-2, 16 KO) is the right option for the former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua (28-4, 25 KO), taking into account that Joshua comes from a 15-month release. It would be a hard fight for AJ, even if he hadn’t disappeared.
What complicates Hearna’s work is a bad knockout AJ, who suffered during the last fight with Daniel Dubois on September 21, 2024. Dubois eliminated Joshua in the fifth round. He dropped AJ four times in battle, ending when he was counted in round 5.
Jake Paul Fight still on the radar
Hearn states that he is still interested in the fight of Jake Paul for Joshua at the beginning of 2026, but he is not sure if the popular warrior will pass through November 14 the match against Gervont Davis without injury. He does not intend to sit Joshua and wait for the result of this fight.
Hearn said IFL TV That there is a “pula and don’t know 10 fighters” that Anthony Joshua could fight next. “Bakole? Yes. It is not an effortless fight. You also have ajagba.”
33 -year -old Bakole has not looked good in the last two fights with Efe Ajbaga and Joseph Parker. Choosing him at this moment would be a situation for Joshua, because he would not receive recognition for defeating him. If AJ loses or fights for winning, he will be criticized by fans.
Tony Yoka brings size and range
Tony Yoka (14-3, 11 KO) would also be a hard fight, potentially for Joshua, and for which he would not receive recognition. The Olympic gold medalist in 2016 Yoka has a 3-3 record in the last six fights, and his only wins came against unclear warriors.
High opponents disturbed Joshua
After 6’7 ′ Yoka has a size to potentially defeat Joshua if his impact resistance has not been impaired from the loss in Dubois. AJ 6’6 ″ would not have the height and achieve an advantage over Yoka, as if he enjoyed most of his career against less opposition. High warriors with whom Joshua fought, 6’6 ″ Wladimir Klitschko and 6’5 ″ Dubois, gave him problems.
“You must ask yourself [Joshua] Is it outside the ring for 15 months, is it the right fight to come back? Maybe – Hearn said about Bakole as an option for Joshua.
The way Hearn says does not seem willing to fight the bacon. You can’t blame him. Although Bakole had weight problems in the last two fights, he is still powerful and would be a threat to Joshua as long as it lasts.
Olly Campbell covers boxing since 2010 and wrote for Boxing News 24 From 2014. In Great Britain, he now informs about the world boxing scene, providing news, results and functions connecting fans with the greatest stories of this sport.
Having experience in the field of relationships with Great Britain and European, Olly has developed a style that combines a acute analysis with available writing, thanks to which his work is valuable for both devoted observers and random fans. His reports consistently emphasize masters, pretenders and appearing prospects on the global stage.
Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.
Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.
How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2
Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET
Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)
PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.
Location: O2 Arena – London, England
Dubois vs Wardley 2 full undercard and running order
Fabio Wardley can turn his early success against Daniel Dubois into a rematch victory if he avoids exhausting himself chasing the finish. He proved he could hurt Dubois in their first fight. The harder task is keeping control when an opponent he has dropped continues coming forward.
Wardley scored two early knockdowns before Dubois recovered and stopped him. That leaves an opening for a different result, although better pacing alone may not be enough to prevent another punishing night.
Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora both back Wardley to win again on Saturday, with Mannix choosing him by stoppage. Mora believes Wardley’s eagerness to finish Dubois helped undo his promising start.
“If he just doesn’t punch himself out, he thinks about setting up that right hand, doesn’t get right hand happy,” Mora said to DAZN Boxing.
That is the adjustment Wardley needs to make under pressure. Once Dubois survived his biggest punches, Wardley needed something beyond another loaded right hand. Working behind his jab and putting punches together would give him more ways to attack without spending everything on a single finish.
Dubois deserves credit for surviving those knockdowns and returning to his jab. Mora believes his previous defeats helped him stay composed when Wardley hurt him. Wardley now has his own experience of a fight turning against him.
“I think he’ll be smarter after this fight. I think he’ll learn some lessons,” Mannix said. “I think Wardley wins by stoppage in this fight.”
Mannix’s biggest concern is what the first beating took out of Wardley. Learning the tactical lesson does not guarantee he will absorb Dubois’ punches the same way in the rematch.
Wardley’s power gives their picks a credible foundation. He has already put Dubois down twice. To complete the job, he needs to create another opening without allowing the pursuit of a knockout to leave him exhausted and exposed again.
Share this article
About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Fabio Wardley’s team wants tighter control of Daniel Dubois’ head-first attacks in Saturday’s rematch, with manager Michael Ofo calling for stronger officiating after their first fight.
The concern is about Wardley being able to punch without Dubois driving into him with his head. Those collisions can interrupt an attack, knock a fighter out of position, and make him hesitate before throwing again.
Dubois recovered from two knockdowns to stop Wardley in May and take the WBO heavyweight title. Ahead of their return at London’s O2 Arena, Ofo has accused the champion of leading with his head and using a tackle during that fight.
“We’re calling for a stronger referee, because it’s needed,” Ofo told Sky Sports Boxing.
Dubois’ trainer Don Charles rejected the criticism, describing the opposing camp’s complaints as “insecurity and weakness.”
Wardley’s camp has a reasonable case for asking the referee to watch those entries closely. When Dubois comes forward behind his punches, head contact can make it difficult for Wardley to plant his feet and counter. Intent is difficult to establish, but repeated collisions still need attention.
That becomes especially important if Wardley hurts Dubois again. He needs the opportunity to follow up without a foul interrupting his work and giving the champion time to recover.
However, Wardley cannot build his approach around the referee intervening. His jab has to give Dubois something to get past, and combinations would make him less predictable than loading up on individual power shots. Moving after punching could also reduce the opportunities for Dubois to drive into him.
Wardley showed he could hurt Dubois in the first fight. The harder task is turning those moments into a finish while avoiding another punishing battle at close range. Firmer officiating could help, but his own adjustments will have to do most of the work. Wardley cannot rely on the third man to solve that puzzle.
If Dubois is going to be stopped from barreling in head-first, Wardley has to make the physical cost of doing so intolerable, just like Oleksandr Usyk did.
Share this article
About the author
Boxing News 24 Desk
BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.