Rumours are spiralling around boxing circles that Tony Yoka is being lined up as Anthony Joshua’s next opponent.
The Frenchman succeeded AJ as the Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist at Rio 2016 to cap off a glittering amateur career, but has struggled to transition to the paid ranks.
After winning his first 11 pro fights, Yoka suffered a three-fight skid to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam and Ryad Mehry.
The losing streak prompted him to pack his bags and move to London to work with Don Charles at the PUG Farm Gym in Boreham Wood.
Charles famously masterminded Dubois’ stunning knockout win over Joshua last September, and he may be about to go head to head with the Watford powerhouse again if the links to Yoka are to be believed.
Addressing the rumours during Saturday’s talkSPORT Fight Night show, Spencer Oliver said: “I’ve heard that rumour and I’m glad you have brought that up because I think we are going to be the first people to talk about this.
“Do I think they are going to fight? I think that it is a great possibility.
“We get two Olympic gold medallists going at it.
“Tony Yoka is trying to rekindle his career after losing to the likes of Carlos Takam.
“He has won his three now; he last boxed in June.
“He is very much in the rebuilding process, as is Anthony Joshua.
“Doesn’t it make sense? Two Olympic gold medallists, there is history there.
“It will be a great fight, it is a sellable fight, I would love to see it.”
Talk of Joshua-Yoka comes a few days after Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh revealed his plans to have AJ and Tyson Fury come through tune-up fights before finally meeting next year.
“Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury next year, we are trying to do it and we are thinking about it,” said Alalshikh during a recent appearance on ‘The Boxing Voice’.
“I need to have for each one tune-up fight first.
“Why? Because they are both coming off losses. It’s to build it up.”
Yoka’s form at world level would make Joshua a big favourite, while the billing of gold medallist vs gold medallist lends to a marketable fight.
Joshua is expected to return to the ring in either November or December after undergoing successful elbow surgery.
Only time will tell whether Yoka will be the man standing across from him.