Anthony Joshua: Eddie Hearn says heavyweight refusing 'easy' fight, wants to face Deontay Wilder or Joe Joyce in 'interim' bout

Anthony Joshua is prepared to fight heavyweights Deontay Wilder or Joe Joyce in an «interim bout» with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk currently in Ukraine.

Usyk, 35, is in his native country helping the war effort against Russia and is unlikely to fight Joshua in their rematch this summer.

Promoter Eddie Hearn explained the situation on the 5 Live Boxing podcast, saying: «If we can't fight him in May or early June, we would like an interim fight before we go into the Usyk fight.

»AJ's idea of an interim bout is very different to mine. An interim bout while you're waiting should be a nice little stroll in the park.

«He's messaging me saying: 'What about Wilder? What about Otto Wallin? What about Luis Ortiz? What about Joe Joyce?'

»But this is AJ all over. He's like a caged lion."

Usyk has been a visible figure for Ukraine alongside fellow boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko and former world champions Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko.

Joshua, 32, has not fought since September when he lost his WBA (Super), IBF and WBO world titles to Usyk and Hearn said that although there were several options, his fighter was not interested in an «easy» fight.

«The most important thing is he rematches Oleksandr Usyk. He's turned down a lot of money not to and he's not about to let that opportunity go,» added Hearn.

«I think now's the time to have an easy touch. He doesn't. He wants to prepare. Maybe Ortiz, maybe Wilder in that southpaw gearing him up for Usyk. I expect if he does have an interim, knowing Anthony Joshua, it'll be a real fight.»

Michael Conlan challenges for his first world title this Saturday in Nottingham against local boy Leigh Wood.

Wood, 33, was one of 2021's surprise packages as he upset Xu Can to claim the WBA (Regular) title in