JAKARTA - Anthony Joshua's (AJ) next fight is likely to be against a fighter from another discipline, especially the former boxer and famous kickboxing champion from the Netherlands, Rico Verhoeven.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, responded to the possibility after his client secured a knockout (KO) victory against Jake Paul, a YouTube star who has just entered the world of professional boxing.
"We'll see when he (Anthony Joshua) is ready (to fight again). Rico (Verhoeven) or whoever it is we haven't finalized it, but the date we will really work on over the next four, five, six days," said Hearn as reported by Ring Magazine.
Joshua plans to return to the ring in February 2026. Rico is likely to be the opponent he will face as a warm-up before arranging another big fight, such as the plan against Tyson Fury.
Hearn said they had discussed the possibility of Joshua stepping into the ring in February 2026 with Turki Alalshikh, one of the high-ranking officials in Saudi Arabia known to have a huge influence in the professional boxing world.
"Several opponents have been mentioned. The biggest challenge now is that the fight is still eight weeks away from tonight. He (Anthony Joshua) is undergoing a very tough training camp, eight or nine weeks," he said.
Verhoeven has a kickboxing record of 66 wins, including 21 knockouts, and 10 losses. Verhoeven relinquished the GLORY heavyweight title in November 2025 after holding the title for 12 years.
He previously fought once as a professional boxer in 2014 and scored a knockout victory in the second round. In addition, he also has one victory in the only MMA match in his career.
Joshua said Verhoeven remains an option, but his biggest desire is to face Tyson Fury - a fight so many boxing fans are waiting for.
"Hopefully in a week or two I will get news (from Fury). I'm a strong person. I want to keep moving forward. I give the unemployed eight weeks," said Joshua, who is a two-time unified heavyweight world champion.
Fury is reportedly ready to come out of retirement to fight Joshua. However, he will only want to get into the ring if he gets the right pay for such a big fight.
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