Eddie Hearn, promoter for former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, has stated that Joshua is expected to compete again before the end of the year. However, it appears one previously considered opponent is now unlikely. Joshua`s most recent bout resulted in a significant defeat at Wembley Stadium against IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois, which ended Joshua`s attempt to become a three-time champion, a feat achieved by Lennox Lewis.
Following elbow surgery last month, Hearn mentioned on the Ariel X Ade show that the 35-year-old fighter is ready to resume training. “Anthony Joshua will return,” Hearn confirmed. He added, “I had a lengthy conversation with his team. He`s now getting back into things and starting to think about finalizing a date for his next fight, potentially in October, November, or December of this year. We`re anticipating a strong finish to the year.”
Despite Tyson Fury`s retirement announcement in January, speculation persists regarding a long-awaited major British fight between Fury and Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs). For the immediate future, Hearn expects Joshua to fight later this year, but noted that a former adversary is no longer the most probable opponent. “Dillian Whyte was probably the leading candidate, to be honest,” Hearn explained. “It seems he`s set to fight Moses [Itauma], which was an unexpected development.”
Hearn continued, “Jared Anderson has also been discussed. Of course, Deontay Wilder is expected to be active again soon. I believe AJ will have been out of the ring for just over a year when he steps back in, and he will be coming off surgery. I don`t think Fury will be prepared to fight around that time anyway, but I expect the opponent to be someone who can prepare him for a significant bout in 2026.”
Joshua`s loss to Dubois led some observers to suggest his career might be drawing to a close. Hearn acknowledged that retirement could be on the horizon for Matchroom`s top star, outlining a potential plan. “Likely 2026 will be his final year in boxing,” Hearn said. “That`s probably about three fights away. If I`m advising AJ, I`d say we come back this year and then have two fights against Tyson Fury. What else is there left to do? Perhaps fight Daniel Dubois? For me, once AJ has fought Tyson Fury, he`s kind of done it all.”
Hearn concluded, “I would love for him to have another go at Dubois and another go at Usyk, but you could just keep going on and on. Now, if we get to next year and he`s still performing strongly, then 2026 won`t necessarily be his final year. But personally, it feels right for him to return this year, defeat Tyson Fury twice, and then sail off into the sunset.”
