Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora disagree over domestic, interim opponent
Anthony Joshua is on the lookout for an interim opponent after his next opponent Oleksandr Usyk returned to Ukraine to take up arms in the war against Russia.
Anthony Joshua says he is open to a fight with British heavyweight rival Joe Joyce as his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk looks to be more and more unlikely.
Usyk, who was in the UK recently to promote the likely contest, has since returned to his besieged homeland Ukraine. The WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion has taken up arms and is preparing to fight for his country against the Russian invasion.
That certainly puts his proposed rematch with AJ in May in serious doubt.
The unprecedented situation leaves Joshua looking for an interim opponent. The former heavyweight world champion, who now has two defeats on his record, has said he is trying to communicate with Usyk.
Joshua: I have got to keep active
Joshua remains intent on fighting in the next few months after he exercised his re-match clause and planned to fight Usyk.
According to Boxingnews24 Joseph Parker has volunteered to be his interim opponent.
Of course that would be a re-run of their fight three years ago when Joshua won convincingly on points over the then WBO champion Parker.
Asked if Joe Joyce would be a good fight, Chisora said: "No."
Joyce: We had some great spars
🗣 @anthonyjoshua & @DerekWarChisora respond to @Tyson_Fury saying they are “in the losers club” for picking @DillianWhyte to beat him!
— Michelle Joy Phelps (@MichellePhelps) March 6, 2022
AJ also makes his NEW trainer & says he’ll fight Parker as interim fight!
Full Interview ⤵️
👉🏼 https://t.co/YWVYamYEl5
🎥 @BehindTheGloves pic.twitter.com/yju0LHdLVx
AJ confirmed to Behind The Gloves that Fernandez will be stepping up into the main role as he freshens things up.
Rob McCracken, who has trained Joshua from day one, is still expected to be involved in AJ's next camp.