Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom has floated the possibility of Joshua venturing to Africa for a bout, following the legacy of “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Matchroom’s first-ever show on West African soil will not include AJ, with Hearn confirming that the card will take place in Accra on December 20 and serve as a “precursor” to Joshua’s potential headline fight at the same venue next February.

“We’re doing a show in Ghana on December 20,” Hearn told The Ring. “Obviously, this will not be an AJ show, but it’s still going to be a good show. The idea is that this is probably a precursor for an AJ show out there, but it’s not part of our initial deal. We can just get the lay of the land with this one.”

According to Hearn, Frank Smith visited Accra for a site inspection and was impressed with the arrangements. The December show will feature fighters with Ghanaian backgrounds, alongside other Matchroom boxers.

Meanwhile, Joshua’s next opponent remains unclear, though Nigeria-born American Kingsley Ibeh has publicly called out the former world champion.

“We need the right platform and the right opponent to make a statement with — and there’d be no better one than AJ,” Ibeh told Sky Sports. “That would definitely be a dream come true. It doesn’t matter where it is — UK or Ghana — I’m ready. I would love to dance with him in the O2 Arena. I would definitely stop him; no questions about that. It’s just about how soon it happens.”