Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has said that Anthony Joshua would benefit from some more fine-tuning in the gym and some extra quality time with Derrick James before facing the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
Joshua called out WBC champion Fury after beating Jermaine Franklin via unanimous decision at the O2 Arena on April 1. He also spoke about his desire to face Wilder before hanging up his gloves.
However, Hearn think’s AJ needs more time to gel with Derrick James after the fight against Franklin went the distance – with the judges scoring it 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 in favour of the former two-time world champion.
Hearn, who previously admitted that AJ needed to be more aggressive against Franklin, said Joshua that should ‘have another fight with a level slightly above Jermaine’ before taking on Fury or Wilder.
Hearn’s comments came shortly after Joshua revealed that he will not fight again until December.
“I think Dillian Whyte is a great option,” Hearn said in an interview with The DAZN Boxing Show. “It’s a dangerous fight. I think that’s a good fight. There are other guys in the top-15.
“You’re better off being honest and saying, ‘Look, this is where we’re at.’ I need him to have another fight with a level slightly above Jermaine Franklin, gel with Derrick James, hopefully go in there with a little more confidence to prepare him for Fury or Wilder.”
The Matchroom promoter recently revealed that Bob Arum had reached out to him to enquire about rearranging a Battle of Britain clash between AJ and Fury this summer.
When asked whether Joshua would be interested in taking that fight despite claiming the 33-year-old will not return to the ring until December, Hearn said: “We’re not ruling that out.”
He went on to add: “If a big offer comes in or a big site comes in [we will take the fight right away]—unlikely in July. But I just really want to see momentum [from Joshua]. “