And missing out on a return to the ring against Jake Paul<\/a>, Joshua was jilted by the Ohio native, who will instead face WBA lightweight gold holder Gervonta Davis<\/a> in November.<\/p>\n However, a shortlist of potential foes has been outlined for Joshua, including a fellow Olympic gold medal winner.<\/p>\n Ruled from a host of high-profile pairings next, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed Joshua would not be sharing the ring with the likes of Moses Itauma, or even fellow UK veteran Derek Chisora next. <\/p>\n As far as the Dagenham native is concerned, Joshua\u2019s return fight \u2014 which already has a pencilled date<\/a> \u2014 could come opposite French contender Tony Yoka who won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.<\/p>\n Tony Yoka \u2014 he\u2019s definitely on a list of, I don\u2019t know, 10 [fighters Anthony Joshua could face]?\u201d Hearn told Sky Sports<\/a>. \u201cI expect it to be a top-20 guy. It\u2019s not going to be top-five.<\/p>\n Now he\u2019s back in training, and my conversations over the last couple of weeks have been very positive with him locking in a fight date and returning. \u2026He\u2019s like, \u2018let\u2019s go, I\u2019m back\u2019, and that\u2019s where we\u2019re up to. So the next move is to lock in that fight in early 2026, and then we want Tyson Fury<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Tyson Fury\u2019s future cast into doubt by his promoter<\/p>\n Himself announcing another career retirement at the turn of the year, former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury<\/a> has been on a collision course with fellow UK talent Joshua for years at this stage.<\/p>\n However, on the back of his pair of decision losses to common opponent Oleksandr Usyk<\/a>, Morecambe star Fury called time on his run in the ring again.<\/p>\n![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2213275717-1024x820.jpg\")
Photo by Richard Pelham\/Getty ImagesAnthony Joshua ruled from top-five opponents by promoter<\/p>\n