Anthony Joshua could still fight this weekend as former foe puts his hat in ring

Matchroom are still working on finding an opponent to fight Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

Joshua (25-3, 22KOs) was set for an eagerly-anticipated rematch with Dillian Whyte, but the bout was cancelled after “adverse analytical findings” were detected in Whyte’s doping test.

It forced Matchroom to call off the fight on Saturday morning after the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed the promoters and boxing authorities of the test result.

BREAKING..more updates to follow shortly. pic.twitter.com/cnKFqYgIVV

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) August 5, 2023

However, there is a hope former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua could still step into the ring this weekend with a raft of alternative opponents being lined up by Matchroom, the PA news agency understands.

British veteran Derek Chisora was set to fight American Gerald Washington and Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic was scheduled to do battle with Demsey McKean on the undercard in London on Saturday.

One of those four could now get the opportunity to fight Joshua, while an old rival has thrown his hat in the ring.

Andy Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua at Madison Square Gardens in 2019, has sent a number of social-media posts urging Matchroom promotor Eddie Hearn to pick up the phone and arrange a third fight between the duo.

We need that trilogy @EddieHearn