At the age of 33, Anthony Joshua is in the rebuilding phase of his career. 

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion of the world has lost three out of his last five fights, including two to Oleksandr Usyk, and he’s contemplating a change in coaching yet again. The British boxer is also considering a training camp move to the United States for a change of scenery. 

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn is planning to arrange a ring return for Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) with a date of April 1. The likely opponent is durable contender Jermaine Franklin.

“It won’t be hard to find an opponent to fight me,” Joshua told IFL TV. 

Should Joshua get through his tuneup, he wants to jump straight to the top of the division once again.

“[Tyson Fury] or [Deontay] Wilder [in 2023]. Both of them will be a good night and a hard night’s work. But yeah, 2023 is [Fury] or Deontay Wilder – or potentially both.”

Joshua has long been in discussions to face Wilder and Fury throughout the years. 

Joshua’s team has made considerable progress negotiating with Fury’s team over the last couple of years, but the sizable steam has always fizzled due to a slew of factors. 

When Joshua was asked if the Fury ship had sailed once and for all, he remained positive on the possibility of a super fight. 

“In my heart, no [it’s not over]. But if you listen to what [Fury] says, it’s up and down. But I’m sure he’ll fight me. I don’t think his dad will let him not fight me. His dad’s a proper guy, I like his dad. So yeah,” said Joshua. 

Hearn has also shared that he wants Joshua to fight three times this year, but he's floated the idea of Dillian Whyte as an opponent in the summer, and Wilder after that.  

Joshua has previously stated that the Wilder fight “has to happen” because they both are from the same era. 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.