EDDIE HEARN has admitted that Anthony Joshua's career will be over if he loses his next fight.
The 33-year-old is set to step back in the ring on April 1 for a comeback bout at the O2 Arena.
He recently suffered back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, making it three losses in his last five after being beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr in the first of their two clashes.
Joshua is now set for a tune-up fight as he looks to rediscover top form and confidence.
However, the pressure is on because if AJ was to lose to a potential lesser-known opponent then his promoter believes his career is finished.
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Hearn said to iFL TV: "You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
"It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
"That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
“I’m excited. I’m really excited. This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua's journey so far."
The Watford-born heavyweight has been linked with facing his ex-sparring partner Demsey McKean in April.
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The Aussie told Sky Sports: "We are one of the frontrunners for a possible opponent for Anthony Joshua.
"I could be [the man to retire Joshua] and I am very confident I can do that."
With AJ and Hearn hopeful of victory, the Matchroom chief is already eyeing up future bouts for afterwards.
Joshua wants a big fight in the summer and a rematch with Dillian Whyte is being discussed.
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Hearn also suggested that they would like to arrange a bout with Deontay Wilder, but the American's thoughts are currently on a potential meeting with Ruiz Jr.
The promoter also left the door open for a Battle of Britain fight against Tyson Fury.
Hearn said: "We're open to a Wilder fight, we're open to a Fury fight, we're open to every fight in the summer.
"AJ knows he wants to be in the biggest fights possible and if a bigger fight rears it's head, and there's only two bigger fights in the division than Whyte, that's Fury and Wilder.
"And if they appear, somehow, we're 100 per cent willing to look at those as well."
