Anthony Joshua's promoter rules out a fight this year saying he may face Wilder in 2023

FORMER world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua will not return to the ring in 2022 and is instead set to do so very early next year following the breakdown of talks between his camp and that of Tyson Fury over a December bout.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, is plotting a route back to the top of the heavyweight division following a second straight defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in August. Joshua first lost his unified titles to Usyk in September 2021 before failing to regain them despite a more valiant effort in the Saudi Arabia rematch 11 months later. 

Just a few weeks after that shortcoming, Joshua was handed a shock lifeline by domestic rival Tyson Fury, who offered him the chance to fight for his World Boxing Council (WBC) belt in December. However, talks between the two camps broke down earlier this month, meaning Fury is now taking on Derek Chisora and Joshua is still on the hunt for his next opponent.

Joshua's next opponent could be Deontay Wilder, who has expressed his desire to finally face the former champion following his brutal knockout of Robert Helenius last weekend. Although he is excited by the prospect of Joshua vs Wilder fight, Mr Hearn insists his fighter will not be getting into the ring gain before the end of the year.   

Mr Gearn said: "Joshua against Deontay Wilder may be the biggest fight in boxing because someone is knocking somebody out in that fight. It's one that you watch like that. Joshua will be back very early next year and I want to see him get active."

It is unclear exactly what that means for Joshua's lucrative contract with Dazn. Back in June, the 33-year-old signed a reported £90m deal with the streaming giants for two fights per year to be shown but so far, Joshua has only boxed once against Usyk in August, meaning he will not fulfil the terms of his contract.

Meanwhile, Wilder could be set for a showdown with Andy Ruiz Jr in his next contest. The WBC are reportedly set to order a bout between Wilder and Ruiz in a final eliminator for Fury's title and Hearn is all for it.  

Mr Hearn added: "Ruiz-Wilder is a brilliant fight. I really like Andy Ruiz. I thought he looked better against Ortiz, it was a good victory. I see him beating Deontay Wilder.

"Wilder was good the other night. Robert maybe past his best. Still, Wilder is very dangerous, he's brilliant for the sport and Andy Ruiz is a warrior, so he won't mind standing in front of Wilder.

"He has that low style that comes in over the top and sometimes Wilder doesn't like that a lot. That's what Joshua had trouble with. I just think Wilder vs Ruiz is a brilliant fight and hopefully, we get to see that."