Anthony Joshua might take Joseph Parker rematch as he approaches ‘closing roll of the cube’, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua could possibly be open to a Joseph Parker rematch as he approaches the “final roll of the dice” in his profession, says his promoter Eddie Hearn.

The British heavyweight has suffered a minor harm that has prolonged his absence from the ring since a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.

Hearn has reiterated Joshua’s want for a Dubois rematch or a blockbuster battle with Tyson Fury, who’s at present retired, however the two-time world champion is also open to a second combat towards the in-form Parker.

“Yeah, he [Joshua] had a niggle after the Dubois fight, he went back into camp, and he’s just not ready to start punching yet with the same ferocity that he needs to,” Hearn advised Sky Sports activities.

“So I feel that there is two fights for AJ that basically stoke the fireplace. One is the rematch with Daniel Dubois, and the opposite one is Tyson Fury, which is out of our management in the meanwhile, however we hope that one thing can kickstart that combat, however that is all the way down to Tyson.

“So if he would not combat a type of two guys, he has to combat somebody, and he’ll wish to combat somebody within the high 10.

“And Joseph Parker right now is on one of the hottest runs. I mean, if Dubois doesn’t fight (Oleksandr) Usyk, I’d like to see Dubois fight Parker as well, because I think Joe deserves a shot at a world heavyweight title. But, obviously, if there’s a big unification fight for undisputed, then Joe is going to need another dance partner, and maybe it’s a Joshua rematch.”

Parker is the WBO necessary challenger for Oleksandr Usyk after spectacular victories over Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder.

However his promoter David Higgins has confirmed Parker might take the Joshua combat subsequent.

“I think the whole world would like to see him [Parker] rematch with AJ,” Higgins advised Sky Sports activities.

“On current form, I think Joseph Parker puts AJ to sleep.

“Our promotional accomplice proper now’s Queensberry, so Frank Warren and the Queensberry crew may have a serious say on it, however I feel nobody would deny that if Parker would not get a shot towards Usyk or Dubois, AJ-Parker is a blockbuster and the entire world would tune in.”

Joshua unified the IBF and WBO belts with a unanimous determination win over Parker in Cardiff in 2018.

Hearn confirmed Joshua will likely be able to return on the backend of the summer time as they plan the ultimate stage of his profession.

He mentioned: “This is the final year. Let’s not beat around the bush.

“He’ll have someplace between – it might all the time be your final combat – however one and three fights, that is the fact of the scenario.”

Could Fury vs Joshua still happen?

Meanwhile, promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports that he has not held any fresh talks about Fury’s ring return.

“If he needed to come back again, that might be his alternative,” said Warren.

“Me, I would not even talk about it with him.

“That’s got to be his decision if he does. In the meantime I just want him to enjoy his life, his family, because he enjoys it.”

When requested about Joshua’s predominant objectives, Hearn added: “I just want to see him happy really, leave the sport with an incredible legacy, which I think has already been achieved. Not only is he a two-time world heavyweight champion, but he’s changed the face of the sport in this country.

“He is paved the best way for these stadium fights for them to change into a norm and I feel he is impressed a brand new technology of younger boxers to stroll via the doorways of an newbie boxing membership.

“But he still loves the sport, he still thinks that physically he has a lot to give, so this is the final roll of the dice and we’ve got to get it right, we’ve got to be ready and it’s going to be very exciting.”