Anthony Joshua in discussions for two-fight Riyadh Season deal

Eddie Hearn has revealed that heavyweight star Anthony Joshua is set to agree a two-fight agreement with Turki Alalalshikh's Riyadh Season.

Speculation has continued to mount regarding the two-time heavyweight champion's next move in the sport after being comprehensively beaten by domestic foe Daniel Dubois in his last outing in September.

The Watford star had hoped to return to action on the back of that loss in May, however he was forced to halt those plans after undergoing surgery to fix a long-standing elbow issue.

A long-mooted showdown with Tyson Fury is likely to remain at the top of Joshua's agenda, although it appears as though the Matchroom prize-fighter will shift his attentions elsewhere in the meantime.

Despite the Gypsy King dropping numerous hints that he could reverse his retirement plans this year, he emphatically reiterated his intentions to continue enjoying life away from the ring this past weekend, questioning the logic in making a return to the sport at this stage of his life.

However, despite that, the expectation is that the pair will likely settle their long-standing feud inside the ring over the next 12 months, especially given Hearn's revelations regarding AJ's potential new Saudi deal.

We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season

- Eddie Hearn (BoxingScene)

"We've been doing that - Turki Alalshikh said that on the night of Canelo [against William Scull earlier this month], when we had our meeting, and that's the plan really.

"We want to box sometime this year, October, November, December."

Hearn has already confirmed that he is already working on potential opponents, including Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson, whilst also keeping close tabs on the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois and Fury over the coming months.

"They are two guys that have been discussed, but nothing concrete," he answered when quizzed on potential clashes with Whyte or Anderson.

"We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we'll see what happens with Fury.

"Then if we don't fight those guys, we'll fight, and then maybe we'll follow one of those guys next year."

Mark Mothershaw

• Anthony Joshua
• Matchroom
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