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Who could Anthony Joshua fight in a warm-up before a possible fight with Tyson Fury?

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Anthony Joshua needs an opponent for his next fight to properly prepare for his fight with Tyson Fury.

This was confirmed by promoter Eddie Hearn Talks are ongoing about the long-awaited fight with Furyand Joshua is set to have a warm-up fight in July, which will be his first return to the ring since his involvement in in December, a tragic car accident killed two of his friends.

Joshua previously defeated Jake Paul after losing to Daniel Dubois by knockout. Fury’s comeback from retirement to overtake Arslanbek Makhmudov and his subsequent call on Joshua made the dream clash with the British heavyweight once again a reality.

But first, a warm-up fight. Against whom? Hearn said Joshua would fight someone of a “similar level” to defeated opponent Fury Makhmudov. Here are some names that might fit the bill…


Justi Huni

Australian challenger Justis Huni (13-1, 7 KO) defeated Frazer Clarke by majority decision in the Fury vs. match over the weekend. Makhmudov, thus setting the best result of his career so far. Huni’s ceiling of possibilities has yet to be discovered.

Last year, he outplayed and outscored Fabio Wardley for nine rounds until he was the victim of a knockout from behind, his only loss to date.

Huni’s next step after defeating Clarke will likely be to target a world-class opponent with an even higher profile. However, if he doesn’t achieve a gigantic victory himself or finish high in the rankings, he may become an option that will determine Joshua’s return to the ring.

Seven years ago, then aged 20, Huni traveled to Sheffield to train with Joshua. Meeting him in the ring would be a full circle moment.


Cassius Chaney

6-foot-6 American heavyweight (24-4, 17 KO) Cassius Chaney was on the shortlist to fight Joshua before the former champion ultimately decided to face Paul in delayed 2025.

“It sucks to miss a great opportunity but there’s nothing wrong with it, that’s business,” Chaney told Sky Sports. “I’m glad I’m knocking on the door. Everything is finally working out.”

Interestingly, Chaney then worked with Paul in the build-up to the fight with Joshua as a sparring partner. He is the same height as the Briton, and the former YouTuber-turned-boxer has used his level of physicality in his preparation.

Before Paul’s fight camp and his dealings with Joshua, Chaney fought relatively unnoticed. At 38 years elderly, fighting Joshua would be a gigantic deal and a great way to potentially end his career.

Chaney last fought in January when he was defeated by Alexander Flores by seventh-round stoppage. He could be a safe and sound, low-risk fight for Joshua as he works to get back to the levels required for the Fury.


Guido Vianello

Nicknamed “Gladiator”, the 31-year-old Italian (14-3-1, 12 KO) challenged Joshua several times, even proposing the Roman Colosseum as the venue for any fight.

“Now I want to have a gigantic name,” he said last year. “You want to know what gigantic name I want? Anthony Joshua. I want Anthony Joshua. I want him in front of me. Let’s fight in Rome, the Colosseum, London – whatever you want. But give me the gigantic name, please. I don’t have extra time, I want to win now.”

Vianello’s stock rose in 2024 and 2025 when he defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov by stoppage and brutally knocked out undefeated Alexis Barriere.

The dismantling of Barriere was impressive from Vianello, who imposed his size and strength on the fight after taking several counterattacks in the earlier rounds.

It was a timely reminder of what Vianello could do. Defeats to Efe Ajagba and Richard Torrez Jr. caused his reputation to suffer, but may result in him being considered a rival to Joshua.


Murat Gasijew

The Russian, currently the holder of the “regular” WBA heavyweight belt, would be an compelling test for Joshua despite losing two inches of height and six inches of reach. Murat Gassiev (33-2, 26 KO) is stylistically a mini-heavyweight who focuses on crushing strength and endurance, not elite footwork.

He is a former unified cruiserweight champion who lost an undisputed title fight to Oleksandr Usyk. It seeks to work the body while providing powerful power when required. Gassijew’s last appearance came in December, when he knocked out Kubrat Pulev, also a former opponent of Joshua.

A furious left hook was too much for the aging Pulev, but Joshua would be a much sterner test of Gassiev’s greatness at heavyweight. Gassiev, 34, also said he was preparing for a summer fight and even invoked the name of British sensation Moses Itauma.

“I’m just training,” he said. “We have a plan to fight in the middle of summer, like in July, and we are working on it now.”


Dillian Whyte

A rematch with Dillian Whyte has long been planned for Joshua and has already failed once.

Whyte and Joshua were fierce rivals early in their careers and clashed in an incensed clash, which Joshua won by knockout before becoming world champion. A rematch was planned three years ago but was canceled when Whyte presented unfavorable drug test results.

Perhaps now that Joshua is looking for a rival to strengthen, Whyte’s idea will be presented to him again.

Whyte has not appeared in the ring and has no next fight scheduled after being knocked down in a round by Moses Itauma last August. He has only fought three times in the last three years and he is currently 38 years elderly.

His threat level could be seen as an all-time low, and a rematch with Joshua ties into the bad blood storyline from their youth.

Whyte told Sky Sports: “I would love it, but no one has mentioned it to me and I don’t know anything about it. And AJ probably most likely wants to fight Deontay Wilder right now.”


Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KO) was once Joshua’s dream opponent. It was a clash of two powerful knockouts from both sides of the Atlantic, who both held heavyweight titles. But the Wilder vs. Joshua, like Fury vs. Joshua, also never happened, even though it seemed close in 2018. Now? This was mentioned in very different circumstances.

Wilder lost four of six fights before he overtook Derek Chisora ​​in a bruising contest in London earlier this month. Now the 40-year-old former WBC champion, once considered one of the greatest boxers in boxing history, can fight his last fight against the elite of his division.

Flame in the Wilder vs. fight Joshua caught fire again when the Briton appeared in the ring during the American’s fight with Chisora. Wilder walked past Joshua before the fight, avoiding eye contact, creating an icy, awkward moment that sparked novel intrigue in this forgotten fight.

Wilder then punched Joshua and muttered “let’s do it”, before being overheard claiming his rival was “scared”.

Wilder opened the door to a fight with Joshua, saying: “It wasn’t just a few words, I discussed it with him and said, ‘Now let’s get down to business.’ I’m ready for anyone, as long as these guys are heavyweight, I’m here.”

Joshua’s promoter Hearn cheekily suggested Wilder – once his biggest rival – as his warm-up opponent this summer.

“We have made it clear that we are ready to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury back-to-back,” Hearn said. “I’m not being disrespectful that Wilder is a warm-up fight.”

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Pierce OLeary vs. Mark Chamberlain Live Results: Updates and Highlights

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Pierce O'Leary vs. Mark Chamberlain Live Results: Updates and Highlights

LIVE COVERAGE

World Boxing News provides live results and updates from Dublin as Pierce O’Leary faces Mark Chamberlain at super lightweight.

Queensberry Promotions returns to the 3Arena with an action-packed card headed by the unbeaten Irish star O’Leary, who meets former British champion Chamberlain in the main event.

The undercard also features Gary Cully, Reece Bellotti, Sean McComb, Steven Cairns, Ben Fail and several unbeaten Irish prospects.


Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain Results

Times are Local – IST

17:46

Gary Cully stopped Lee Reeves in the tenth round to improve to 20-2.

Cully overcame a fifth-round point deduction for repeatedly losing his gumshield before dropping Reeves twice in the final round to force the stoppage.

The victory marked Cully’s 11th knockout win as a professional.

17:01

Sean McComb returned with a comfortable six-round points victory over Miguel Antin.

McComb won every round on the referee’s scorecard, claiming a 60-54 decision to improve his record to 22-2.

16:31

Machlan Arthur improved to 2-0 with his second straight knockout by stopping Ryan Frost in the fourth round.

Arthur dropped Frost twice in the final session before the referee waved the contest off at 1:05 of round four.


Remaining Bouts

• Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – IBO World Super Lightweight Title (12)

• Royston Barney-Smith vs Reece Bellotti – Vacant IBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Title (10)

• Gary Cully vs Lee Reeves – Super Lightweight (10)

• Steven Cairns vs Senan Kelly – Super Lightweight (10)

• Ben Fail vs Craig O’Brien – Super Welterweight (10)

• Bobbi Flood vs Tariq Davis – Super Welterweight (6)

• Adam Olaniyan vs Jonathan Claudio Sauco – Heavyweight (4)

• John Joe Carrigan vs Sean Murray – Super Welterweight (4)

• Sami Hamed vs Bela Istvan Orban – Super Welterweight (4)


Queensberry

Preview

Pierce O’Leary tops a major night of boxing in Dublin as the unbeaten Irishman takes on Mark Chamberlain for the IBO World super lightweight title.

O’Leary enters the contest looking to continue his rise through the rankings against the experienced Chamberlain, who aims to return to winning ways after a draw in his third outing since suffering the lone defeat of his professional career.

The chief support sees Royston Barney-Smith meet Reece Bellotti for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title.

Gary Cully also returns in an intriguing domestic clash with fellow unbeaten Irishman Lee Reeves, while Steven Cairns faces Senan Kelly in another all-Irish encounter.

Sean McComb, Ben Fail, Bobbi Flood, Adam Olaniyan, Machlan Arthur, John Joe Carrigan and Sami Hamed also feature on the Queensberry Promotions card.

Updates will be added below as the action unfolds in Dublin, with more live coverage on World Boxing News.


About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

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Barry McGuigan: Ryan Garcia Faces a Dangerman in Conor Benn at 147 lbs

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Barry McGuigan: Ryan Garcia Faces a "Dangerman" in Conor Benn at 147 lbs

Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan has named one half of the main event between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn as the “dangerman” at 147lbs.

The two welterweights will collide at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12, with Garcia making a first defence of his WBC world title.

He claimed the belt by dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory in February, which followed his surprising points loss to Rolando Romero in May 2025.

Interestingly enough, this defeat came shortly after his year-long doping ban, which he served on account of testing positive for ostarine ahead of his majority decision victory over Devin Haney.

The result of their showdown was then ruled a no-contest, with Garcia subsequently moving up to welterweight after failing to keep below the 140lb limit.

It now seems the 27-year-old is competing at a more natural weight while Benn, who tested positive for clomifene in 2022, has not made 147lbs since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden that same year.

Speaking with talkSPORTIrish boxing icon McGuigan suggested that this – as well as the 29-year-old’s technical flaws – could prove a major factor against Garcia.

“[Benn’s] got that genetic code from his dad, and he’s got that explosiveness and everything else. But he is predictable – you can see when he’s going to throw.

“You ask yourself: is Garcia just a little bit too sharp for him? A little bit too cute. I think Garcia’s finally found the weight he’s most suitable [for]. I think he’s a dangerman at 147[lbs].

“Maybe Conor Benn has left it a little too late to make 147[lbs] again. I think that could be his Achilles’ heel. I make Garcia a slight favourite but would never write off Conor Benn – he’s got that fighting heart.”

Benn comes off a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis in April, which followed his two middleweight encounters with Chris Eubank Jr last year.

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Devin Haney Updates Fight Strategy After Keyshawn Davis Withdraws from Title Shot

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"Devin Haney Updates Fight Strategy After Keyshawn Davis Withdraws from Title Shot"

Devin Haney’s immediate future has been thrown into uncertainty after Keyshawn Davis pulled out of their mandated contest on Friday.

The pair had been ordered to collide for Haney’s WBO world title, with Davis having been named as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger at 147lbs.

Multiple reports then suggested that the 27-year-old was offered $3m by Top Rank, his promoter, only for ‘The Businessman’ to reject what would have been a career-high payday.

Subsequently, their bout went to a purse bit hearing, where Top Rank trumped Teofimo Lopez’s Takeover Promotions with a sum of $8,550,000.

This therefore gave Bob Arum’s outfit the promotional rights and, as per the usual 75/25 split in favour of the defending champion, Davis would have been entitled to a share of $2,137,500.

Since Thursday’s auction, though, Davis has excluded himself from the fight and left Haney without an obvious opponent for his first welterweight title defence.

Taking to social mediaWBO president Gustavo Olivieri explained that his organisation must now provide their champion with a solution.

“The WBO hereby confirms receipt of written notice from counsel on behalf of Keyshawn Davis advising that he will NOT accept the 25% purse split adjudicated pursuant to the official WBO purse bid proceedings and, accordingly, will NOT participate in the WBO welterweight mandatory championship contest against Devin Haney.

“In light of the foregoing, the WBO Championship Committee and Ratings Committee will convene to proceed in accordance with the WBO world championship rules and regulations. The applicable ruling will be rendered and published in due course.”

At this stage, it remains to be seen whether Haney will be immediately ordered to face a new mandatory challenger or, given the situation, have the opportunity to make a voluntary defence.

Either way, the 27-year-old has not fought since dethroning Brian Norman Jr in November and is surely eager to return to action.

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