Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has suggested that Anthony Joshua could meet Jermaine Franklin in 2023.
Last weekend in London, Dillian Whyte returned to the boxing ring for the first time since losing to Tyson Fury at Wembley. He squared off with Jermaine Franklin and the expectation, for the most part, was that he’d get back to winning ways - and that he may even do so emphatically.
Alas, there wasn’t anything that emphatic about it with Franklin proving that he could hang with some of the best heavyweights in the world.
The two went to a decision and even though Franklin wasn’t happy about it, Whyte did manage to get the nod from the judges to end his opponent’s unbeaten record as a professional.
Read more: Dillian Whyte unhappy with Anthony Joshua after ringside exchange - footage shows why
The talk after the bout immediately turned towards what would be next for both individuals and although a rematch is unlikely, that’s something Franklin is certainly willing to entertain.
Eddie Hearn, meanwhile, couldn’t help but throw him a bone by putting Anthony Joshua’s name out there.
Video: Eddie Hearn suggests big fight for Jermaine Franklin
“Maybe AJ fights Jermaine Franklin in February or March,” Hearn said.
“I don’t know. Like, he gave a very good account of himself, gave Dillian Whyte a good fight. You know, but I think [Joshua has] got a number of names that he’s looking at as well. But, you know, I don’t really think that Dillian is looking at a rematch with Jermaine Franklin.”
In terms of what is most likely, Hearn has gone out of his way to suggest Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte on more than one occasion - and you’d have to think that is at the forefront of his mind.
Joshua shoots for a return
Anthony Joshua has got some work to do if he wants to get back in the good books of professional boxing fans, especially in the United Kingdom.
‘AJ’ has suffered consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk and in the latter of those two defeats, he went on an impromptu rant on the microphone when speaking to the crowd in Saudi Arabia.
Read more: Otto Wallin has a 'good' chance of being Anthony Joshua's next opponent
He’s still a massive name inside the squared circle and there’s very little that will change that, but he does need to remind everyone of what he can do.
Who knows, maybe Franklin will be the one to step up after all.