On Saturday night, Anthony Joshua did exactly what was expected — defended his world heavyweight titles with a seventh-round knockout of Alexander Povetkin. Now, with Wembley already booked for 13th April 2019, the big question is: who’s next?
With the heavyweight division booming again, here are five names that could realistically be in the frame.
1. Deontay Wilder
Let’s be honest — Joshua vs Wilder is the fight we all want. Unification. Undisputed. Two heavy-handed champions. It’s been teased for over a year now. At one stage, AJ’s camp said they’d signed their side of the deal — but Wilder’s team never followed through.
Instead, Wilder is facing Tyson Fury on 1st December in LA. So unless he steamrolls Fury and comes out unscathed, an April turnaround feels tight. That said, if the money’s right and the belts are on the line, anything’s possible.
2. Tyson Fury
This time last year, you’d have laughed at the idea of Joshua vs Fury. But now? It’s very much in the conversation.
Fury’s made no secret that he wants the fight. He was straight on social media after Saturday’s win calling AJ’s performance “basic” and daring him to step up. The issue, again, is timing. Fury is locked in for December — but if he comes through that looking sharp, the appetite for an all-British mega-fight at Wembley would be massive.
3. Dillian Whyte
If we’re talking likely, this could be it.
Whyte gave Joshua hell in their first fight back in 2015 — rocking him and pushing him deeper than anyone had before. Since then, Whyte’s rebuilt brilliantly, beating the likes of Chisora and Parker to put himself back into contention.
He’s ready. He’s available. And the rematch sells itself — bad blood, unfinished business, and a whole lot of heavy leather.
4. Hughie Fury
This is the wildcard name. But it might become a serious one.
Hughie faces Kubrat Pulev at the end of October in an IBF final eliminator. If he wins that, he becomes the mandatory for one of AJ’s belts. He’s already got world title experience too — having narrowly lost a very debatable decision to Joseph Parker in 2017.
A Fury vs Joshua showdown — even if it’s not that Fury — could still generate interest, especially if Hughie puts on a performance in Bulgaria.
5. Jarrell Miller
Finally, we’ve got “Big Baby”. The loudest voice in the American heavyweight scene right now — and one of the few willing to go toe-to-toe with AJ on the mic.
He made headlines gate-crashing the DAZN launch and getting in Joshua’s face. Eddie Hearn’s hinted this could be a U.S. debut for AJ, but if they wanted to bring Miller to Wembley instead? It’d be fireworks — and a proper grudge match.
Final Word
Whoever Joshua fights on 13th April, it needs to be someone big. The stadium’s booked, the eyes of the boxing world are watching, and the public is hungry for a real legacy fight.
Whether it’s unification with Wilder, a grudge rematch with Whyte, or something even bolder — let’s hope this time, boxing politics doesn’t get in the way.
Comment below — who do you want to see AJ fight in April?
You think he would know before booking such a big venue we will have to wait and see but I’m sure I’ll be there cheers Chris.