Anthony Joshua's dreams of a blockbuster British super-bout with Tyson Fury look to be dead in the water after the latter announced his sudden retirement on Monday.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion had been tipped to return to the ring against "The Gypsy King", his long-time domestic rival, for a first-ever meeting this year.
But Fury's decision to hang up his gloves has left Joshua facing a different test in 2025, as he mulls his next move following a fifth-round loss to Daniel Dubois in September.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who has overseen the star's rise to the top of the world twice with Matchroom over the past decade, certainly believes there is no shortage of options.
Now, he has outlined seven credible foes for the former London 2012 gold medalist to face next, ranging from rematches to other blockbuster clashes with some big names.
Here, DAZN News profiles the options laid out before Joshua - and how each one has fared over recent years in the ring as they bid for their own glory too.
Daniel Dubois
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
- Age: 27
- Nationality: British
- Record: 22-2 (21 KOs)
- Titles: IBF (2024-present), WBA 'regular' (2022-2023)
Most fans expected Joshua to return for an immediate rematch with "Dynamite" after he was ruthlessly humiliated at Wembley Stadium last September and dropped several times.
With AJ not ready for a February date however, Dubois moved onto Joseph Parker - and with questions over Oleksandr Usyk's future too, he could return to his domestic foe.
Deontay Wilder
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
- Age: October 22, 1985
- Nationality: American
- Record: 43-4-1 (42 KOs)
- Titles: WBC (2015-2020)
The kingpin of modern American heavyweights, "The Bronze Bomber" went 40-0 throughout a glittering career before a draw with Tyson Fury in 2018 checked his momentum.
He subsequently lost twice to "The Gypsy King", and Riyadh Season rebuilds against Parker and Zhilei Zhang have dimmed his appeal - but he still remains an entertaining fighter.
Joseph Parker
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
- Age: 33
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Record: 35-3 (23 KOs)
- Titles: WBO (2016-2018)
There may be unfinished business between the Auckland-born star and AJ, after the latter ended his reign as WBO champion with a unanimous decision victory in Cardiff in 2018.
Parker has not had a shot at a full world title since, though he challenged twice for the WBO interim title - but that changes in February when he faces Dubois for the IBF crown.
Dillian Whyte
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
- Age: 36
- Nationality: British
- Record: 31-3 (21 KOs)
- Titles: N/A
"The Body Snatcher" goes way back with Joshua, having beaten him at amateur level but subsequently coming up short in a professional clash for domestic titles in 2015.
In the subsequent decade, Whyte has been the WBC interim champion twice, but lost against Tyson Fury in his bid to cement his place - and a rematch with AJ could bear fruit.
Martin Bakole
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
- Age: 33
- Nationality: Congolese
- Record: 21-1 (16 KOs)
- Titles: N/A
There may never have been a world title shot on the cards before for Bakole, but his vocal platform has seen him aim jabs at Joshua in recent weeks - so could they trade blows?
An upcoming bout with Efe Ajagba will serve as an IBF title eliminator, putting Bakole in the frame to face Dubois or Parker - but AJ may prove a tempting carrot and big payday.
Zhilei Zhang
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
- Age: 41
- Nationality: Chinese
- Record: 27-2-1 (22 KOs)
- Titles: N/A
The former WBO interim champion never got the chance to challenge for the full title after two wins over Joe Joyce, instead losing the tag to Parker at the start of last year.
A subsequent win over Wilder has restored his standing as a top-tier contender though - and the prospect of potentially beating Joshua could prove a lure too great to resist.
Agit Kabayel
(Getty Images)
- Age: 32
- Nationality: German
- Record: 25-0 (17 KOs)
- Titles: N/A
Top-tier unbeaten heavyweights are few and far between, but the German is one who will be proud of his record so far in the heavyweight division heading into his next bout.
That pits him against Zhang, and a victory surely moves him into the upper tiers, which could make him a prime target for Joshua as he seeks to rebuild following his loss.
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