Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte will be stadium showdown next summer, says Eddie Hearn, with Deontay Wilder clash ‘bigger than Fury vs Usyk’

Eddie Hearn is confident of delivering a huge stadium fight between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte next summer as he plots ‘AJ’s return against a top 15-ranked opponent in December.

Another outstanding performance from Oleksandr Usyk saw Joshua fall to a third defeat in his last five fights with the frustration boiling over on an emotional night in Jeddah 10 days ago.

While his hopes of fighting in an undisputed heavyweight title showdown against Tyson Fury have faded for the time being, there remains the thrilling prospect of a rematch against old rival Whyte after their explosive war seven years ago. A battle against hard-hitting American Wilder is also a bout that has been six years in the making.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi ahead of a press conference for Dmitry Bivol’s WBA light-heavyweight title defence against Gilberto Ramirez on 5 November, Hearn confirmed the Whyte and Wilder fights are both options under consideration.

Having promoted Whyte for a number of years on a fight-by-fight basis up until April’s showdown against Fury, the Matchroom chief expects smooth negotiations to make a second showdown between the two Londoners a reality next year.

There is also strong hope of finally making the Wilder fight – with Hearn convinced that bout can overshadow Usyk vs Fury on the world boxing stage.

When asked if Joshua vs Whyte will be targeted for a stadium fight, Hearn told Metro.co.uk: ‘For sure, it is a fight we all want.

‘The two biggest fights out there away from the world title fight are the Dillian Whyte fight which must happen. It is a huge stadium fight next summer.

‘The other is the Deontay Wilder fight which is arguably the biggest fight in boxing – even bigger than Fury vs Usyk, in all honesty. Two big fights and