Eddie Hearn has revealed eight possible options being looked at for Anthony Joshua's next fight this summer if his primary target, Tyson Fury, chooses to retire.

Fury abruptly retired this week in an unexpected move after losing to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in their December 21 rematch. Hearn still thinks Fury isn't serious and is just looking to be lured in with a big offer.

Hearn's short list

If Tyson were to retire, Hearn says the options below are potential targets for AJ to fight in the summer.

– Dillian White
– Joseph Parker
– Daniel Dubois
– Martin Bacall
– Jhilei Zhang
-Agit Kabael
– Deontay Wilder

Some of these names will seem unlikely, as Hearn has said he doesn't want Joshua to fight anyone. “There is no commercial benefit.” This pretty much rules out Bakole, Zhang, Kabael and Parker.

AJ's realistic alternative

The only fighter on the list to make good money is Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs). Whyte, Deontay, and Dubois. Former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder, 39, has been washed out and has lost four of his last five fights. However, AJ is also considered a shot to piece. So, a fight between him and Deonte wouldn't be bad. Still, boxing fans will boo Joshua if he fights Wilder. Never hear the end of it.

“He will be ready to fight against Bacol. He is ready to fight anyone. A great fight to be seen. I don't want him to fight hard for any commercial advantage. I won't be doing my job,” Eddie Hearn said Second outSpeaking of Anthony Joshua. “He's not that focused on money, but I am.

“I would prefer Bakole in Africa. Dillian White in London. Deontay in America. Kaabael is victorious against Zhang. I'm telling you the name now before anyone says it because I have no idea. Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Martin Bakole.

“For me, the ones that really put him up for it are Dubois' wins against Tyson Fury and Parker. That doesn't mean he won't be up for another fight. He is going to fight this summer. It's simple,” Hearn said.

Bacole is a threat

I don't know why Hearn bothered to mention Martin Bacall's name because he knows he would never let Joshua get to a heavy-handed knockout artist. Hearn wouldn't dare fight AJ the way he destroyed America's top heavyweight, Jared Anderson, on August 3rd.

“When Bakol called him the other day, I think that was pretty good for AJ. He has been kind of down in the dumps. Everyone's a winner when they're a loser, and I think he's got some back-up. He will be ready to fight against Bacol. He always did,” Hearn said.