Anthony Joshua looks set to be back in the ring sooner than expected.
The 36-year-old big-punching Brit has been out of the ring since a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September of 2024. After minor surgery on his elbow in May, ‘AJ’ is now back in camp and seemingly ready to go when he gets the call.
Though promoter Eddie Hearn this week slightly talked down the idea of him returning this year, stating February 2026 was a more realistic timeframe for return, he has now revealed on DAZN that his heavyweight charge will be back out in 2025.
When Chris Mannix presented Hearn with Matchroom’s slate for the remainder of the year – November 15 in London, December 13 in Stockton and December 27 in Riyadh – the promoter confirmed that Joshua would feature on one. London, with Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn headlining, is an unlikely prospect, so fans may look towards the other two cards.
As for an opponent, Hearn has previously admitted that it will likely not be a top 20 heavyweight, rather a fight designed to shake off ring rust in preparation for ‘rolling the dice’ in 2026. That, fans will hope, should come against Tyson Fury. Hearn recently confirmed that he and Joshua are in active discussions with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season about the long awaited British heavyweight clash, and that Fury – who has been in retirement since January – will be approached separately for his own deal.
Should ‘The Gypsy King’ remain adamant that he will not fight again, another potential option is a rematch with Dubois.