It seemed like an all-British showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury was on the cards for 2025, but those plans have been derailed.

After Fury’s surprise announcement of retirement, Joshua is now looking for another opponent to target in his quest for a third heavyweight crown.

Fury Retires, Leaving Joshua Searching for an Opponent

The potential for a thrilling battle between two of Britain’s biggest boxing stars had boxing fans buzzing.

A lucrative two-bout deal between Joshua and Fury seemed imminent, but Fury shocked the sports world by calling it quits after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December.

With Fury stepping away from the ring, Joshua is left to seek out another challenge.

Joshua’s Focus Shifts to a Potential Clash with Dubois or Parker

With Fury no longer in the picture, Joshua is reportedly eyeing the winner of the IBF title defense between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.

The fight will take place in Saudi Arabia, and Joshua is said to be keeping a close watch on the outcome.

After his recent knockout defeat to Dubois, Joshua may want to reclaim the heavyweight title, and a win over the Dubois/Parker winner could set him up for that.

Hearn Talks About Joshua’s Heavyweight Title Ambitions

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, explained that Joshua’s primary goal is still to fight for the world heavyweight title.

“Right now, because Tyson Fury is retired, the number one choice for AJ is to fight for the world heavyweight title,” Hearn said.

“If that’s Daniel Dubois or Joseph Parker, no problem.” According to Hearn, Joshua’s motivation is clear: win the title, regardless of who holds it.

Joshua Not Ready to Join Fury in Retirement, Says Hearn

While Fury has retired, Hearn emphasized that Joshua isn’t considering stepping away just yet.

He suggested that retirement talks usually begin when a fighter’s performances decline during training camps.

“If you’re not sharp and you’re getting hurt in sparring, that’s when the team will know it’s time,” Hearn explained.

As of now, Joshua’s training camps have been solid, and he’s still confident in his abilities.

However, after his loss to Dubois, Hearn acknowledged that such a conversation may come sooner or later.

Looking Ahead: Joshua’s Future in the Heavyweight Division

With Fury out of the picture, the door remains wide open for Joshua to pursue his heavyweight ambitions.

Whether it’s Dubois, Parker, or someone else, Joshua’s focus is firmly on reclaiming the heavyweight title.

Fans can expect to see him in the ring soon as he continues his journey to become a three-time heavyweight champion.