3 potential Anthony Joshua opponents named as huge Wembley boxing showdown set to be made official

Anthony Joshua has revealed that talks over his next fight are at an advanced stage as he continues his quest to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.

Taking to social media. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist wrote: "Nearly finished my negotiations for my next fight! Feeling motivated." Joshua is expected to headline a huge bill at Wembley Stadium in September that will launch the new Riyadh 2025 season as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's growing influence at the very top of boxing. With heavyweight rival Tyson Fury signing on for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in December in a bid to try to avenge his only professional defeat, Joshua will have to wait to finally get his crack at the Gypsy King.

However, the 34-year-old has a number of potential matchups for a showdown in London in three months’ time that will help him try to re-establish himself as the best heavyweight on the planet. Record Sport takes a look at three opponents who could share the ring with Joshua, including a potential all-British affair for a portion of the heavyweight title.

Daniel Dubois

One of the frontrunners to land a fight against Joshua next is fellow Brit Daniel Dubois. "Triple D" has fired himself into world title contention by securing a career best victory over previously undefeated fighter Filip Hrgovic earlier this month, damaging the Croat's eyes so badly the fight had to be stopped.

Like Joshua, Dubois has also tasted defeat against Usyk, but at just 26 years of age, is only just entering his prime years in the ring. If the prospect of a domestic dust-up isn't enough for you, then a contest between the two Brits at Wembley in September could also see a world title on the line.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) title holder Usyk is likely to be stripped of the belt after agreeing to rematch Fury, which should see the organisations next two highest ranked fighters, Joshua and Dubois compete for the strap. If the fight is signed then it would see two British boxers do battle for the heavyweight title for only the third time this century following Fury's bouts with Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte in 2022.

Zhilei Zhang

Another man who is in pole position to get himself another big fight is China's Zhilei Zhang. The 41-year-old reminded the boxing world of his huge punch power in Saudi Arabia on June 1 when he stopped former WBC heavyweight champion and knockout artist Deontay Wilder inside five rounds.

"Big Bang" Zhang had an elite career as an amateur, but has only been able to prove himself to be one of the most feared men in the division in his latter years as a professional. Zhang has already seen of one British heavyweight in Joe Joyce - scoring two knockout wins against the Juggernaut in 2022 - and would certainly pose Joshua some problems in the early rounds of a fight before his lack of durability catches up with him.

Joseph Parker

Former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker may also get the chance to avenge his defeat to Joshua six years ago. The New Zealand boxer lost his title after being on the end of a lopsided points division to Joshua, but has rapidly improved in that time frame, claiming impressive wins against the aforementioned Wilder and Zhang in the past seven months.

The 32-year-old will feel he is much better equipped to face off against Joshua for a second time and is already extremely popular with British fans, having been involved in epic fights with Whyte, Chisora and Joyce down the years. The colourful character has also beaten one of Joshua's former conquerors in Andy Ruiz, who shocked the world by knocking out AJ at Madison Square Garden in 2019.