Eddie Hearn all-but confirms Anthony Joshua’s next opponent after £100m Deontay Wilder super-fight is KO’d

EDDIE HEARN has already set his sights on an alternative for Deontay Wilder after a super-fight with Anthony Joshua went up in smoke.

The pair of former world heavyweight champions returned in separate semi-final bouts in Saudi Arabia in a bid to set up a finale fight.

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Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Otto Wallin[/caption]

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Deontay Wilder suffered defeat to Joseph Parker[/caption]

But just moments before AJ was set to make his ring walk against Otto Wallin, it was Wilder who slipped to a shock defeat to Joseph Parker.

It meant the £100m blockbuster between the superstar duo was KO’d before the first bell for Joshua’s fight sounded.

Nevertheless, AJ put the disappointment behind him to celebrate a bittersweet five-round stoppage over Wallin.

Now, Hearn revealed Filip Hrgovic is their new target in what they hope will be a vacant world title shot.

He said: “He wants to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. It’s going to be AJ vs Hrgovic for the vacant IBF world title.”

Tyson Fury, 35, and Oleksandr Usyk, 36, are set to contest for the four titles on February 17 in Riyadh.

And it marks the first time in heavyweight history that the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO straps will ALL be on the line.

Although if a rematch is to follow, the victor is expected to be stripped of the IBF version with Hrgovic, 31, manadated to fight for it.

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So it leaves Hearn & Co hoping they can sneak in and challenge for the vacant title while Fury and Usyk do business once more.

But, Joshua, 34, refused to rule out the idea of fighting Wilder, 38, after all despite the slip up against Parker.

He said: “He can come back and fight another day – I am sure everyone still wants to see that fight.”

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Filip Hrgovic could be next for Joshua[/caption]