Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that the British-Nigerian former champion will return to boxing this year.
Hearn spoke to Chris Mannix about the former two-time heavyweight champion’s comeback plans following his elbow surgery.
Joshua has been out of the ring since September 2024, when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley. The defeat prevented Joshua from becoming a three-time heavyweight champion, thus missing out on the IBF heavyweight title.
After recovering from elbow surgery in the summer, Joshua has been teasing a return to the ring, with February 2026 initially touted.
However, Hearn hinted at Joshua fighting again before the year ends, with Matchroom staging events on November 15, December 13 and December 27.
When asked if Joshua would fight on one of the shows, Hearn simply replied, “Yes.”
Joshua’s next move remains unclear, with Hearn previously stating that if Joshua did box in 2025, it would not be a main event.
However, Hearn is also open to making the Jake Paul fight, given the uncertainty surrounding Gervonta Davis, who is facing a civil lawsuit. Davis was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress by his ex-girlfriend.
The development has put Paul’s November 14 exhibition against Davis in jeopardy, and Hearn has reached out to Paul’s team to put Joshua forward as a replacement.
“We’re available. Subject to, of course, the global home of boxing in which we have exclusivity with, Anthony Joshua has exclusivity with,” Hearn said.
“If you’re asking me, do we take the fight? Of course, we take the fight. It would be a nice way to end this little journey.”
“Does Jake Paul really want to fight Anthony Joshua? He’s a crazy guy, he’s a crazy guy. Maybe he thinks he can catch Anthony Joshua on the fly, hasn’t really been in training camp.”
A 2025 return would also pave the way for a Tyson Fury fight next year if The Gypsy King comes out of retirement.
Credit: punchng.com
