Previously set to fight Jarrell Miller, Anthony Joshua was waiting to extend his record to twenty-three wins from twenty-three competitive fights. Bookmakers not only expected the fight to be carried out as expected, but they also predicted that Anthony Joshua would easily defeat Jarrell Miller.
It was announced this week that a denied boxing licence for Jarrell Miller will put an end to any chance of the fight happening, meaning that Anthony Joshua will have to look to another boxer as he prepares for his next major bout.
Preparing for who AJ's next opponent will be, Sky Bet were quick to price up all potentially likely candidates to face the heavyweight in the ring. Changes already came into action a few short hours after the market was made available on the Sky Bet app and website, and we could be set to see more as key figures in the sport confirm or deny the various reports.
Eddie Hearn rules out Dillian Whyte, Luis Ortiz and Deontay Wilder
There was a tie between Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz for the shortest set of odds when the market first opened, both priced at 2/1. Dillian Whyte has since moved to a marginally larger 3/1, with Luis Ortiz increasing in price by a slightly more significant degree, going as high as 4/1, but there's already enough reason to rule out both fighters.
Easily the most trusted figure on this topic, Eddie Hearn was said to have ruled out both Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz to a Sky Sports News source, stating that Dillian Whyte was in line to fight on the 13th of July and that Luis Ortiz has been promised a rematch with Deontay Wilder, decreasing the already slim chance of any of these boxers taking on Anthony Joshua.
It appears that this news had an impact on Deontary Wilder's odds, already starting the day as an outsider at 16/1 but drifting to 20/1 following Eddie Hearn's comments being published by Sky Sports News. This change hasn't been enough to force Sky Bet into thinking differently, leaving Dillian Whyte as a surprisingly short second favourite and Luis Ortiz as third favourite, with Dillian Whyte also provided a boosted price at 4/1.
Jarrell Miller features as one of AJ's potential opponents
Reigning as the professional boxer with the shortest price, Michael Hunter is priced at 2/1, followed by Dillian Whyte at 3/1, who is currently boosted to 4/1 in Sky Bet's Boxing Price Boosts. Luis Ortiz is given odds of 4/1, before Trevor Bryan is priced at 11/2, Adam Kownacki is priced at 6/1 and Manuel Charr is priced at 7/1.
Moving to 10/1 and above, Oleksandr Usyk is a tempting proposition at 10/1, Joseph Parker could be set to drop at 11/1, Oscar Rivas is at 12/1, and both Tyson Fury and Jarrell Miller are handed odds of 16/1, despite this market being created due to Miller having to pull out of the originally planned fight.
There are several different names mentioned, ranging from the sensible to the far less likely, with Deontay Wilder at 20/1 and Dave Allen being at an intriguing 25/1. It's assumed that any chance of the White Rhino fighting Anthony Joshua would be unlikely to start with, but he's only likely to consider doing this if this weekend's bout between Dave Allen and Lucas Browne results in Allen's favour.
Odds for Anthony Joshua's Next Fight
- Michael Hunter - 2/1
- Dillian Whyte - 3/1
- Luis Ortiz - 4/1
- Trevor Bryan - 11/2
- Adam Kownacki - 6/1
- Manuel Charr - 7/1
- Oleksandr Usyk - 10/1
- Joseph Parker - 11/1
- Oscar Rivas - 12/1
- Jarrell Miller - 16/1
- Tyson Fury - 16/1
- Deontay Wilder - 20/1
- Dave Allen - 25/1
- Daniel Dubois - 28/1
- Joe Joyce - 28/1
- Hughie Fury - 33/1
- Wladamir Klitschko - 33/1
- Derek Chisora - 40/1
- Dominic Breazeale - 66/1
- Charles Martin - 100/1
- Shannon Briggs - 100/1
