Anthony Joshua fans will have to wait a little longer.
The former heavyweight champ isn’t quite ready to step back into the ring. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently confirmed that Joshua’s return remains on hold as he continues to recover from elbow surgery following his tough loss to Daniel Dubois last year.
Speaking with Boxing Social, Hearn didn’t sugarcoat the update. “He’s not back in training camp yet, but we’re getting close,” he said. “We spoke recently, and I asked him when he’d be good to go. He mentioned the end of October, but he’s open to fighting in November or December.”
As it stands, Joshua is only expected to fight once this year. But who he’ll face? That’s still a mystery.
Hearn shrugged off the speculation. “I really don’t know,” he said.
Names like Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson had been in the mix earlier on. But Whyte is now set to go up against rising talent Moses Itauma in August, and there’s been no movement on the Anderson front.
Across the ocean, Deontay Wilder says he’s still down to fight Joshua anytime. “As long as we’re both active, I’m always ready,” Wilder said. But for now, Wilder’s attention is on his upcoming bout against Tyrrell Anthony Herdon.
Joshua, meanwhile, is keeping a close eye on the July 19 clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois — both of whom have handed him losses in recent years.
Still, Hearn hasn’t given up on what many believe would be the biggest domestic showdown in boxing history: Joshua vs. Tyson Fury.
“It would be such a shame if we don’t get that fight,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “There’s really no excuse anymore. That matchup has to happen.”
He added, “Seeing those two across the ring from each other? That would be a historic moment, not just for boxing, but for British sport.”
Looking ahead, Hearn hinted that Joshua might be nearing the final stretch of his career. “2026 might be the closing chapter,” he said. “One last run to cap off what’s been an incredible journey.”
