Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will likely fight Filip Hrgovic for the IBF world heavyweight title next year, while Joshua himself has not ruled out a meeting with Deontay Wilder.
Joshua had agreed to finally face Wilder in a long-awaited blockbuster in March, provided both men came through their respective latest tests on Saturday night.
The long-time rivals headlined the same huge fight card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as they looked to clear the path to that mouthwatering 2024 clash, with Joshua holding up his end of the bargain by rolling back the years with a spiteful fifth-round stoppage of Otto Wallin.
However, just before that main event Wilder was surprisingly dominated by Joseph Parker in a major upset to seemingly wreck those best-laid plans and place huge question marks over his boxing future.
While promoter Hearn and Joshua once again talked up a potential future meeting with Tyson Fury, it seems that Wilder's loss could well now open the door to a Hrgovic bout and the chance for Joshua to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt that will be defended by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk when he finally meets WBC king Fury in their mammoth undisputed bout in Saudi in February, but the winner will likely have to vacate that particular title before a rematch that is virtually already guaranteed.
With Joshua now set to take the No2 spot in the rankings, he seems to be on a collision course with fellow Olympic medalist Hrgovic, the undefeated Croatian who moved to 17-0 with his emphatic first-round knockout of Mark de Mori on Saturday's undercard in Riyadh and called out Joshua and Fury afterwards.
"It was a tough decision between the championship and Deontay Wilder. We signed for Deontay Wilder, he lost tonight," Hearn said when asked about Joshua's next steps.
"That's okay, that happens in boxing. But maybe it's a blessing, because really this guy [Joshua] is about championships.
"He wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. Now Otto Wallin was number two in the division, it's gonna be Hrgovic against AJ for the world title.
"I'm so happy to see him smiling and performing so well. He's a dangerous, dangerous man when he's in that kind of mood. 2024 is going to be very interesting.
"Every heavyweight should be on notice. He's back."
Hearn later said: "I would love to see him fight Tyson Fury. If Tyson Fury can beat Oleksandr Usyk, I would love to see him fight Tyson Fury. I love that fight.
"I hope that Tyson can be triumphant in that fight. We'll go away now and obviously coming into tonight we had our plans for March.
"Now we've got to re-assess. Does he want to fight in March? We'll speak to [trainer] Ben [Davison], I know he'll want to stay active I think.
"I think he's in a wonderful position. I think that was a statement to say he's the man, he's the man to watch in 2024."
Joshua, for his part, has not ruled out still facing Wilder despite the latter's shock defeat by Parker, who may also now be targeting a potential chance to avenge his 2018 loss to Joshua when he became the first man ever to take him the full 12 rounds as a professional but ended up relinquishing his WBO title on points in Cardiff.
Asked how it felt to see Wilder lose just before his own fight, Joshua told DAZN: "I wasn't watching. I just focus on myself.
"I heard that Deontay lost. So what? He'll come back. It shows that it's fine margins in this business. I wanted to be victorious, I had to focus. No one is running, ducking from anyone.
"Deontay, everything that he said about me, I could rip him apart right now, but I'm going to take the higher ground. I hope he comes back."
Pressed on if Wilder's defeat was the final nail in the coffin for the fight against Joshua, the Briton said: "No, why would it? Listen, look at what [Daniel] Dubois did this evening, he's come back [beating Jarrell Miller].
"You can do anything, just don't give up. Keep on pushing, keep on striving, you can do anything. If he wants he can come back and he can fight another day. It's up to him.
"I'm sure everyone still wants to see that fight, right?"
In his post-fight press conference, Joshua said: "Wilder just came up short, but he'll live to fight another day. Me and him could still get it on, we could still get it cracking.
"I believe I'm a massive threat, I still think Wilder's a threat and I still think it does amazing numbers if we get it on.
"But I'll leave that down to my management, trainers, promoters to make the decision. I'm down to fight anyone, whenever and whoever."
Then asked if he would prefer to face Fury or Hrgovic, Joshua said: "A hundred per cent Tyson Fury, but I'm not dodging Hrgovic by the way. I'll fight Hrgovic as well."
The 38-year-old Wilder had not closed the door on retirement when he was interviewed in the ring after a comprehensive loss to Parker in which one judge gave his opponent every single round.
"We'll see what happens. We have a little bit more left but I've done a great job with managing my money and investing," Wilder said.
"Onto the next. I'm a warrior, so I'll be back soon and if not then it's been an enjoyment. It's been a pleasure and I appreciate everyone for the love and support over the years."
However, Wilder later posted a video to social media in which he confirmed that did intend to fight again.
