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.
“I think one or two more fights,” Ramirez told Fight Hub TV when asked about his long-term plans. “I have been practicing this sport for a long time.”
Ramirez, 33, said that while he still wants to continue his career for now, he is already thinking about how his career will end, not how long it can be extended. Ramirez said he has achieved key goals in the sport, including becoming world champion in two divisions, but still wants to perform at the highest level before he retires.
That pursuit begins with Benavidez, a fight that Ramirez believes will define his status and push his name further to the top of the sport.
“I will beat him. That’s my plan, to fight Opetaia,” said Gilberto about his desire to fight former IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.
It’s a shoot-for-the-stars plan for Ramirez, but you can’t blame him for wanting to fight Opetaia. The biggest obstacle is not only the fight itself, but also where Jai Opetaia currently sits. Jai is now the face of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
At the same time, Ramirez hinted at one last twist before his retirement. When asked about moving up again, he left the door open to a possible heavyweight fight, even admitting that he may not be the biggest fighter in the division.
“Why not?” Ramirez talked about moving up to heavyweight. “That would be amazing.”
If Zurdo loses to Benavidez, his plan for Opetaia will likely evaporate and he may just go straight to the heavyweight event for one last payday before he suspends them.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most crucial fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
The final decision may come after the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch drama ends.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Mayweather and Pacquiao were set to fight professionally more than 10 years after their first meeting, with the event streaming live on Netflix and taking place on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
In recent weeks the duel was in doubt, after Mayweather stated that the fight would instead be an exhibition, while Pacquiao continues to insist that it must be a fully sanctioned fight.
Since it is currently unknown whether this will actually come to fruition, this has probably given the clearest signal that this will no longer happen.
Conversation with FightHypepromoter Eddie Hearn said he thinks Netflix can now focus on the WBC welterweight title fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn, essentially replacing the Mayweather-Pacquiao event.
“It’s all a mess. I’m surprised Netflix got into this whole circus… Netflix is modern to boxing, but they need to be a little more solid in the routine because you can’t actually call the fight and it just falls by the wayside and it just doesn’t look great.”
“NO [I don’t believe it will happen]not now. Netflix is only going to do so many fights and the Benn-Garcia fight is now said to be on September 12 or whenever that happens, so obviously this is the fight to replace Mayweather-Pacquiao.
“If it happened Mayweather-Pacquiao, they are committed to that fight, but if it doesn’t happen they will want another fight and from the sound of it it will be Garcia vs. Benn.”
The world title fight between Garcia and Benn has been widely discussed this month, and if Hearn is right, it could spell the end of any hopes of Mayweather and Pacquiao fighting again.
“I think my size and youth should be a gigantic advantage. It gives me an even better chance to win,” Nakatani told The Ring.
Inoue’s reluctance to make the jump to 126 pounds at featherweight may be the most truthful admission of his physical limitations.
Inoue has fought fighters who hydrated to be hefty, but Nakatani is elevated. At 5’7″ or 5’8″, he has the skeletal leverage of a natural featherweight or super featherweight.
Most of Inoue’s opponents end up with confined time as they have to rush to hit him. Nakatani can theoretically sit outside and throw a punch without putting his chin in the red zone.
The numbers support this belief on paper. Nakatani will enter with a three-inch height advantage, a slight reach advantage and a five-year age difference. He also has natural size from climbing three weight classes, which he plans to exploit for the full distance rather than chasing an early finish.
“This fight will 100% be a war and I think I will win by decision once I overcome everything Inoue throws at me,” Nakatani said.
In his December victory over Sebastian Hernandez, Nakatani was forced into a fierce fight in which both men landed heavily, taking 273 punches in a back-and-forth fight that went the distance. He showed toughness, but also suggested he could get hit when exchanges open up.
It’s not that Inoue is afraid of fighting a bigger opponent, but more that he is a perfectionist who knows that when you lose your physical advantage, you have to rely completely on your endurance. Nakatani is the first fighter in a long time who can actually make Inoue look petite in the ring.
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