Eddie Hearn keeping close tabs on Fury, Usyk & Dubois situations as he plots Anthony Joshua's return

Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua has undergone successful surgery on a troublesome elbow issue whilst also revealing that he is keeping close tabs on Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois as he plots AJ's in-ring return.

The two-time heavyweight champion has been absent from the ring since his devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September.

AJ was floored four times before being stopped by Dubois in the fifth round as the Queensberry man made a successful first defence of the IBF title he inherited by virtue of his 'interim' title triumph over Filip Hrgovic.

Hearn had hoped his charge would be ready to resume his career this summer, but an elbow injury has disrupted those plans somewhat with the Watford star having recently gone under the knife to address the problem.

The Matchroom promoter has now confirmed the operation was a success, meaning Joshua is in-line to return to fighting action later this year.

"He's had the operation, which went very well, and now he's just sort of rehabbing it," Hearn told BoxingScene this week.

I believe about six weeks till he can punch again properly, and that kind of lends itself to a September, October, November fight.

- Eddie Hearn (BoxingScene)

Hopes of a blockbuster affair with long-term rival Tyson Fury were dashed over the weekend as the Gypsy King reiterated his plans to remain retired, seemingly ending speculation surrounding the two.

But, with Fury's history of backtracking and reversing plans, Hearn says he will still be keeping a close eye on developments around the Morecambe star as well as the upcoming undisputed bout between Usyk and Dubois.

"We have time now to take a look at the options and see where the land lies," he added.

"It gives us a chance to see what happens with Dubois against Usyk, and it also gives is a chance to see if Mr. Fury will ever return, and maybe something else.

"Either way, he's definitely going to be fighting this year and we are looking forward to it."

Despite those comments it's unlikely that Joshua would be thrust into action against either Usyk or Dubois - both of whom he has been comprehensively beaten by in recent years.

Joseph Parker's position as 'interim' WBO champion means he will likely be granted a showdown with the winner of the bout, leaving Fury as Joshua's only obvious hope of a bumper 2025 pay day.

However, that, of course, all depends on whether the Gypsy King will be swayed into tackling his fellow Brit by Turki Alalshikh, who has previously spoken of his desire to stage the showdown.

"I want Joshua vs Tyson… I spoke with (Fury) but not about boxing. I think he maybe will return," His Excellency told talkSPORT earlier this year.

Mark Mothershaw

• Anthony Joshua
• Tyson Fury
• Oleksandr Usyk
• Matchroom
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