Anthony Joshua Extends His Boxing Journey Beyond 2026
Anthony Joshua’s retirement plans have taken a new turn. The former two-time heavyweight champion, once expected to step away from the ring in 2026, is now set to carry on until 2027.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that the delay came after Joshua’s long recovery from an elbow injury that required surgery earlier this year. That setback pushed back his planned comeback, meaning fans will get to see more of him than initially expected.
Joshua, now 35, has been out of action since September 2024, when he suffered a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley. Hearn admitted that the comeback must be handled with care:
“We have to be smart about this next fight. It’ll be a chance to get back into rhythm before lining up something massive next summer—ideally against Tyson Fury. If not, it will still be a huge fight,” he explained.
The promoter was clear that Joshua’s future will depend heavily on results:
“If he loses the comeback fight, that could be the end. But if he wins and looks sharp, there’s no reason why he can’t carry on into 2027.”
With Joshua now back in training, anticipation is building for his return to the spotlight in early 2026. The question remains: will the comeback set the stage for a blockbuster clash with Fury, or mark the closing chapter of one of boxing’s most talked-about careers?
