ANTHONY JOSHUA was called out by TWO heavyweight rivals on the same night as he closes in on his return to the ring.
AJ is back training having been out since his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley.
His promoter Eddie Hearn revealed their plans are to have at least one lower-level comeback fight before eyeing Tyson Fury.
And Arslanbek Makhmudov and Guido Vianello are two names to have put themselves in the mix.
Makhmudov beat Dave Allen in Sheffield and beforehand claimed Joshua promised him the bout if he won.
And Makhmudov, 36, said after victory: “Anthony Joshua, where are you? I’m coming for you.
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“I’ve already spoken with him and he gave me his word that he will fight me next year. I’m ready.”
Camille Estephan, Makhmudov’s promoter told Sky Sports: “Definitely I think it would be a great fight.
“Arslanbek has shown against Allen that he has more than just nuclear power.
“The question remains though, can AJ handle Makhmudov’s power? I think a huge number of fans would like to find out.”
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Later that night, Italian Vianello, 31, beat Alexis Barriere in Philadelphia and said: “Now I want a big name.
“You want to know what big name I want? Anthony Joshua. I want Anthony Joshua. I want him in front of me.
“Let’s fight in Rome, in The Coliseum, in London – whatever you want. But give me a big name, please. I’m 31, I don’t have extra time, I want to win now.”
Joshua, 35, is back training for his next fight, likely to happen in February, with Fury, 37, targeted for later in 2026.
Hearn told Sky: “The plan’s very important.
“The most important thing is making sure he’s 110 per cent confident and ready to beat Tyson Fury.
“We need to be able to plan that for AJ to make sure that he’s in the best place possible for what will be the biggest moment of his career, I believe.
“If he fights this year, that will be a pure run out. It won’t be a top 15 guy.
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“He’s either going to have those two fights before Tyson Fury, if that can get made, or he’s going to have the one fight in February.
“We haven’t really decided yet but he’s keen to get active.”
