Speaking to The DAZN Boxing Show, Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, revealed a potential three month window for Joshua's in-ring return following the news that Derek Chisora is likely to face Fury in a trilogy fight. 

"Firstly, the deadline passed two weeks ago, but he’s [Tyson Fury] still negotiating a fight with somebody else," Hearn said. 

"I spoke to Derek Chisora last night, he’s reviewing the contract and the offer, I think he will ultimately get that fight with Tyson Fury in December.

"Really now it’s up to AJ to see if he goes on December 17 or waits until January or February, the decision hasn’t been made yet.

"There’s a bit of a blow not fighting Tyson Fury and it’s a bit of a comedown, so he’s got to weigh up whether he’s going to go December 17 or give himself a little bit of extra time, so that’s a decision he’ll make in the next week or so."

When it came to potential opponents, Hearn expressed his desire for Joshua to face two well-ranked fighters and stated that plans have not changed since the collapse in negotiations with Fury. 

"I always felt that after the Usyk fight, he should comeback with two top-15 guys, then Fury dangled the carrot and AJ took the bait, but now that’s not happening I think it’s still the same plan really."