Joshua’s ‘Special Treatment’: Hearn Claims AJ Can Fight Anyone, Anytime, Despite Recent Setback, Due To Commercial Appeal

Promoter Eddie Hearn was furious on Saturday after being told that a critic has said Anthony Joshua isn’t credible to be fighting for a heavyweight world title next after his last disastrous showing.

Rules for Joshua

Hearn pointed out that Joshua (28-5, 24 KOs) is the “biggest commercial draw” in the division, which means he can fight whoever he wants. If he wants to fight for a world title next, he can.

In other words, Joshua is not subject to the usual rules that apply to other fighters. He can do what he pleases because he is a former two-time heavyweight champion. It’s always nice to hear that some fighters are given special treatment and that they don’t rate.

It would mean more if Joshua had beaten high-level fighters to capture his two world titles, but that didn’t happen. AJ beat a couple of average, everyday-level heavyweights to become a two-time heavyweight champion.

How Joshua became a two-time heavyweight champion:

Andy Ruiz Jr: AJ recaptures his three titles against the 283-lb Ruiz
Charles Martin

AJ’s Royal Road

“The way that the world works is if you’re the biggest name in the heavyweight division actively, which Anthony Joshua is right now, the biggest commercial draw now that Tyson Fury is retired. He can fight whoever he wants at any time,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Ring Magazine, reacting to being told that a critic had said that the 35-year-old Anthony Joshua isn’t credible to be fighting for a world title after his recent fifth-round knockout loss in his last fight against Daniel Dubois on September 21st.

“Jake Paul isn’t credible to fight Canelo Alvarez, but they signed the contract. AJ is a two-time heavyweight champion and he’s the biggest name in the division still. So, he can fight whoever he wants just like that, but I don’t think he will fight for the world heavyweight championship next. I’m not going to say too much right now, but get ready,” said Hearn.

It would be dumb for Joshua to fight for a world title against the current champions because he stands no chance against them. WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk already schooled AJ twice.

After the second loss, Joshua looked insane, snatching Usyk’s belts and tossing them out of the ring. AJ’s rant inside the ring was hard to listen to, as he made no sense and sounded like he’d blown a gasket. It would be pointless for Joshua to fight Usyk or Dubois now.

If Hearn wants Joshua to fight for a heavyweight world title, WBA ‘regular’ champion Kubrat Pulev would be a nice, safe pick. The 43-year-old Pulev recently captured WBA secondary belt with a win over Mahmoud Charr, and he’d jump at the chance to fight AJ again.