Anthony Joshua offered two huge next fights including world title bout before Tyson Fury: ‘Sign it’

Frank Warren has urged Anthony Joshua to sign to face either Moses Itauma or Fabio Wardley in 2026.

Joshua boosted both his global stardom and bank account with a routine KO victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami.

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But after working away the boxing cobwebs after a year away from the sport following defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, Joshua is eyeing a big 2026.

AJ has been heavily linked with a huge showdown against Tyson Fury which is being eyed to land in the summer of next year in a blockbuster deal.

But first he will likely take to the ring, in what many expected would be a tune-up fight.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn suggested first that his client would first prefer to face new WBO world champion Fabio Wardley.

The Ipswich native is open to the bout, and promoter Warren wants Joshua to step up to the plate, or even face rising star Moses Itauma.

He said: “If he really wants to fight, fight Moses [Itauma], fight Moses now. Fight Fabio Wardley now.

“Do it tomorrow. Sign it tomorrow. If he says yes, I’ll go round his house. I’ll go round there right now. I’d have gone round there on Christmas Day, I’ll go round there, and we’ll get the deal done.

“Of course I’ll do it. Why wouldn’t you do it? You want to fight for the world title? Fight Fabio Wardley. In the meantime, if you’re not, you want to wait for Tyson, wait for Tyson.

“All these people keep saying he needs these things to get back in there, to get back for a world title. No, he’s not a spring chicken, is he? Been around. He’s a two-time world champion.

“Jump back in. There you go. Fabio Wardley, another guy who’s had no amateur experience. Let me tell you what it is. 

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“What he doesn’t need to do, AJ, is fight anyone who can punch because there won’t be a fight with Tyson.”

Could AJ fight Wardley or Itauma next?

A fight with Itauma seems highly unlikely with the rising star having already set a fight date.

Itauma will face Joshua’s former rival Jermaine Franklin on January 24, as he looks to try and get further experience under his belt.

The rising star wants to launch an assault on the world titles in 2026, but Joshua may not be the most viable option.

The pair previously suggested they wouldn’t meet having shared a coach in Ben Davison, but Joshua is now working with Oleksandr Usyk‘s camp instead.

However after his departure to team Usyk, a clash with Wardley could make sense given his ambitions to become a three-time world champion.

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Joshua could fancy his chances of taking victory, but it would be a huge risk to take before he meets Fury if that is the bout he chooses.

Should the former divisional king lose to new kid on the block Wardley, a deal with Fury would be almost impossible to salvage.

Joshua may alter to forego both options and take a more favourable outing to try and keep his momentum and go into a bout with his bitter rival in the best possible form.