Potential Replacements: Who Could Step Into the Ring with Anthony Joshua Next?
The boxing world is in a whirlwind as Matchroom Boxing, the promoters of Anthony Joshua, are on a hurried quest to find potential replacements for his August 12 match after Dillian Whyte, originally scheduled to be his opponent, was disqualified from the bout. Whyte's disqualification came about as a result of a failed pre-fight drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). The promoters are now considering promoting a heavyweight already slated for the undercard to the main event. However, there's no shortage of other contenders vying for the opportunity to take on Joshua, a renowned powerhouse from Watford. The top three potential replacements who could realistically substitute for Whyte in the impending showdown. To clarify, neither Derek Chisora nor Gerald Washington are part of this compilation, as it's widely acknowledged that they don't have the requisite capability to challenge Joshua in the ring.
Demsey McKean
Among the potential replacements, Demsey McKean appears to be a promising choice for Joshua. McKean is already lined up to face Filip Hrgovic in the co-main event. While Hrgovic would make for an exciting match against Joshua, the chances of Matchroom agreeing to such a risk at short notice are slim. It's particularly unlikely given the potential loss of a high-stakes match with Deontay Wilder later in the year if things go south. While McKean is no easy adversary and is yet to face defeat as a professional, Joshua would still be the favored contender.Andy Ruiz Jr
In an unexpected turn of events, Andy Ruiz Jr has proposed himself as a potential replacement for Whyte. The Mexican-American boxer stunned audiences when he beat Joshua in June 2019 after stepping in for Jarrell Miller, who, like Whyte, failed a pre-fight drug test. Joshua managed to defeat Ruiz Jr in a rematch six months later and even hinted at a third match. Given the current circumstances, this might be the perfect moment for a trilogy. Ruiz Jr, through his social media channels, appealed to Hearn and Joshua, suggesting that he could be the new replacement and expressing his readiness for a third match.Filip Hrgovic
Filip Hrgovic is also another potential replacement option for Joshua. He's currently the number one contender for the IBF and defeating him would position Joshua to challenge the victor of the Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois match. Hrgovic has previously been vocal about his thoughts on Joshua, and this could be his opportunity to substantiate his claims in the ring. If this match were to take place, it would undoubtedly delight dedicated boxing fans. However, it also carries significant risk for Joshua.
