ANTHONY JOSHUA and Eddie Hearn met with the Saudi Arabia boxing boss after being lined up to return on December 23.
Tyson Fury had initially signed to fight Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed crown in a Christmas cracker.
But eight weeks before the target date, Fury, 35, was dropped and given the fight of his life against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37.
He controversially walked away with a points win but his title unification against Usyk, 36, has been postponed till February.
Turki Alalshikh – in charge of boxing in Saudi – still wants a December 23 show to go ahead in absence of the undisputed showdown.
And now Joshua is in talks to fight on the bill with Deontay Wilder also on the card in a separate bout.
READ MORE IN BOXING
HOT WHEELS
Win a stunning Ferrari or £110k cash alternative from just 71p with our discount
WILD THING
Anthony Joshua warned of brutal Wilder fight outcome by heavyweight legend
Speculation that AJ is nearing a deal to return next month only strengthened when he was pictured with Alalshikh and promoter Hearn.
It is believed Joshua, 34, is lined up to face Otto Wallin, 32, who in 2019 gave Fury 47 stitches despite losing on points.
And Wilder, 38, is said to be nearing a deal with Joseph Parker, 31, the ex-WBO champion who won on the Ngannou undercard in October.
The card is shaping up to be a blockbuster with Daniel Dubois, 25, rumoured to be in talks with disgraced drug cheat Jarrell Miller, 35.
Most read in Boxing
FURY-OUS
Fury tipped to RETIRE and never fight Usyk as boxing icon makes prediction
ROMAN EMPIRE
Roman Fury went from 20st jobless ‘mess’ on Xbox all day to ‘future champion’
POLL CHANCER
Apollonia risks wardrobe malfunction as she poses in stunning swimsuit
‘never say never’
Conor McGregor’s manager opens door to MMA super-fight against Jake Paul
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
HeavyweightsMartin Bakole, 30, and Filip Hrgovic, 31, is another touted match-up.
And undefeated WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, 32, could face Richard Rivera, 32.
An announcement on the Saudi card could come as early as tomorrow.
Source: Read Full Article
