Fury, Wilder or mandatory challenger? Who and what next for Anthony Joshua

Briton is back on top of the world.

Published Dec 9, 2019

Last updated Dec 9, 2019

Anthony Joshua reclaimed his world heavyweight titles with an emphatic points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. in the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

Victory handed Joshua back the IBF, WBO and WBA ‘super’ titles, and set him up to chase further unification bouts against the likes of Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury next year.

Here PA Media takes a look at the 30-year-old’s options as he looks to cash in on his second reign as champion.

WHO’S NEXT?

Oleksandr Usyk could meet Joshua further down the line (Nick Potts, PA)

WHAT ABOUT A REMATCH?

Andy Ruiz Jr admitted he failed to prepare (Nick Potts/PA)

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS OF UNIFICATION?

A fight with Deontay Wilder remains a hot prospect (Steven Paston/PA)

WHO WOULD WIN?

Tyson Fury is one of the biggest draws in world boxing (Handout)

Eddie Hearn is likely to receive future offers from Saudi Arabia (Nick Potts/PA)

Despite promoter Eddie Hearn’s insistence that Saudi Arabia’s financial clout makes a return to the Kingdom inevitable, it is hard to see how he could justify hauling a lesser bout against a fighter like Pulev back to the Middle East. Moral concerns may be very much secondary, but for Joshua’s own legacy it is essential he remains true to his core market and returns to stage more football stadium bouts back home.