Joshua may fight Arreola despite denial

Boxing Chris Arreola has confirmed there have been talks between his camp and Nigeria born former champion Anthony Joshua’s for a fight in December. 

Rumours that Arreola was being considered as a potential next opponent for Joshua have circulated the internet in recent weeks, however, Eddie Hearn came out and denied the claims.

“Sometimes I read stuff like ‘AJ’s made an offer to Chris Arreola’, absolute rubbish, next thing that’s reported in every newspaper,” Hearn told the DAZN Boxing Show. “I’ve not even spoken to Chris Arreola about a fight, and that’s everywhere. By the way, I’m not saying that’s a bad fight, I’m just saying we’ve not reached out to him at all about that fight.”

It now appears there has been some sort of approach at least according to Arreola, who told FightHype: “There are talks and they’re just trying to figure it out and see if something can happen. If something doesn’t happen it doesn’t matter to me because I’m fighting regardless. I’m fighting in December I’m getting my butt back in the ring.

“I was supposed to fight in September, I was supposed to fight in May, and everything just keeps getting pushed back, that’s part of boxing and I’m fine with that but I need a fight this year so either it’s you Joshua or its someone else but whomever it is they’re going to have a nightmare that day.”

Arreola (38-7-1) is a three-time world heavyweight title challenger but due to inactivity and a recent bad run of form that has seen him lose three of his last five, The Nightmare is not ranked by any of the four major sanctioning bodies.

Hearn recently stated that Joshua would return on December 17 at Wembley Arena against a ‘credible top 15 opponent’ and the 41-year-old does not fit that description anymore. In his last fight, he did cause AJ’s former conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr some problems when they squared off in May 2021 but hasn’t fought since.