Anthony Joshua To Return Next Year

Anthony Joshua’s year-long absence from the ring is set to extend well into 2026, as promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed it. 

Hearn said Joshua is holding out for a legacy-defining clash with Tyson Fury. The British boxer’s last outing was a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September, a fight that not only cost him the IBF Heavyweight Title but also required him to undergo surgery on his elbow. A rumored fight against Tony Yoka fizzled out, and a crossover bout with Jake Paul also failed to materialize after Paul committed to a showdown with Gervonta “Tank” Davis. A reason behind Joshua’s extended hiatus, however, is a focus on securing a showdown with Fury. But the biggest obstacle to the fight’s ever happening is that Fury announced his retirement from the sport, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the potential mega-fight.

“Right now, all that’s in my mind in an ideal scenario is to fight Tyson Fury next year. That’s the big focus. From a common-sense perspective, the fight has to happen in 2026, but common sense and Fury’s decisions don’t always gel together. He’s got to want to come back. It’s a personal decision,” Hearn said

Options

One of the opponents for Anthony Joshua could be a rematch against Joseph Parker. The two previously met in 2018 in a title unification bout where Joshua won by unanimous decision. However, in the time since, Parker has completely revitalized his career, becoming a top contender and securing major victories, including a win against Zhilei Zhang. A second fight would offer both fighters a chance to prove how much they’ve evolved. 

Zhilei Zhang is another high-profile opponent who has been linked with Anthony Joshua. The two have a history dating back to the 2012 London Olympics, where Joshua defeated Zhang on his way to a gold medal. In the professional ranks, the Chinese heavyweight has established himself as a dangerous puncher, notably knocking out Joe Joyce twice. A fight with Zhang presents a significant risk for Joshua, as Zhang is a huge, powerful southpaw with immense knockout power. Either way, Joshua’s career is at a crossroads.