Is Joshua Headed To Africa?

Anthony Joshua’s return could take place on African soil, as Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that Accra, Ghana, is ahead of Nigeria in the race to host his comeback.

Joshua is aiming to bounce back from his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. He subsequently underwent elbow surgery, with an eye on a 2026 fight. Talks with Jake Paul broke down due to differences over networks, as The Problem Child will now box Gervonta Davis on November 14. Hearn has said AJ will fight a top 20 opponent. As for the location, Hearn stated that Nigeria has shown an interest but talks have not happened. Meanwhile, Ghana has made an offer for the fight. 

“Well, I haven’t had a conversation with him. I’m sure he will have spoken to someone who knows AJ but nothing with me. If they want to make an offer then we are open to that and my number is quite easy to get hold of. Ghana is currently only one of three sites that have made offers. We may even fight in the UK. Obviously we have opportunities to fight in the Middle East and the Far East as well. But Joshua will definitely fight in Q1 of 2026,” Hearn said

Options

A fight with Filip Hrgovic presents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity for Anthony Joshua. Hrgovic, a former Olympic bronze medalist from Croatia, is known for his powerful, aggressive style and is a top contender in the heavyweight division. A win over Hrgovic would be a major statement for Joshua and would immediately put him back in title contention.

A rematch with Joseph Parker is another highly intriguing option. Joshua has already beaten Parker, so the fight has a history and is a high-profile matchup. Parker, a former world champion, has had a career resurgence with wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole. Parker is a durable, well-rounded boxer with a solid chin and a high work rate.

Frank Sanchez also presents a challenge as a Cuban heavyweight with a slick, technical style. He is a top-ranked contender and a win over him would be a good way for Joshua to prove he can outbox a technically sound fighter. Sanchez is not a one-punch knockout artist, so the fight would be a great way for Joshua to get rounds in and work on his jab and combinations without taking too much punishment. 

Finally, Martin Bakole is a powerful and dangerous heavyweight. He is a top-10 ranked heavyweight and a fight with him would be a high-risk, high-reward matchup for Joshua. Bakole’s power and aggression would be a good test for Joshua’s chin and defense. The fight would be a competitive, and an African clash opportunity for Joshua.