Warren backs Joshua for super-fight return

Promoter Frank Warren has backed Anthony Joshua to “walk straight in” to any major fight he wants despite suffering a recent injury setback.

Joshua has been absent from the ring since suffering a brutal knockout to Daniel Dubois at Wembley last September.

His return to action has been thwarted by injury problems, with Eddie Hearn revealing that his marquee heavyweight talent will need eight weeks to recover from a minor setback in training.

“We’re making these fights happen,” Warren told Sky Sports.

“All I know is whatever they advise him (Joshua), the majority of the heavyweights are with us. That door has been taken off the hinges, just walk straight in, and we’ll make it.

“I understand something was going on (with an injury). For him, there’s no rush, he’s there, and he’ll decide in his own time what he wants to do. I’m sure his team will support him wholeheartedly, whatever his decision is.”

Joshua’s super-fight prospects have vastly diminished since last competing, with Tyson Fury announcing his retirement and Dubois targeting an undisputed world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk, which puts a rematch for the IBF world title on hold.

Despite these setbacks, the 35-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion could be in line for a shot at the WBO title, as Usyk is expected to relinquish the belt to pursue a unification bout with IBF champion Dubois.

The WBO has ordered Usyk to defend his title against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, but the Ukrainian heavyweight champion is reportedly prioritising a fight with Dubois instead.

This development could open the door for Joshua to challenge Parker for the WBO belt, despite his recent fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois.

Queensberry Promotions, headed by Warren, boasts a number of prominent heavyweight contenders including WBO interim champion Parker and WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel.

With Usyk suggesting he could retire after his next two fights, Joshua could end up being pitted against one of Warren’s heavy hitters down the line.

While some have speculated that Joshua might follow Fury into retirement, which would spell the end of a historic era in British heavyweight boxing, Warren says the Brit has nothing left to prove.

“That’s his choice (about retirement),” Warren added.

“He’s been a great servant for British boxing, two-time world champion, filling venues up, was on the crest of a wave for a long time and, in fact looked on the crest of a wave until he fought Daniel. He had three good wins under his belt.”