Eddie Hearn confirmed last night that if Anthony Joshua fights before the end of 2025, it’ll be a contest for “development” to get him “100% ready” for a “big gamble” bout in 2026. He states that this would be an undercard bout for Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) and not a headline job.
Who Fits Joshua’s “Development” Blueprint?
Hearn’s mention of a “big gamble” for Joshua suggests that he’s not let go of his vision of the “battle of Britain” happening between him and Tyson Fury in 2026. It appears that he’s not taking Fury entirely seriously about his wanting to stay retired due to his age, gray hair, and being “too rich” to continue.
Fury is the only one that Hearn has shown eagerness about matching Joshua against, and it’s understandable why. He’s easily the most popular heavyweight in the division by a long shot. Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has already beaten Joshua twice, and it would be pointless for a third fight to be made. Fans don’t want to watch Joshua lose for a third time, and it’s doubtful that Hearn would bother pushing for that type of contest.
“There will be no big-name fight this year unless it’s Jake Paul,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Boxing Social about Anthony Joshua’s status for his next fight. “It wouldn’t be a headline. It wouldn’t be a pay-per-view. You don’t have to moan about it. It can be part of something that already existed and on sale. So, there will be no one moaning.”
The Slow, Chinny, and Weak Candidate Pool
If Joshua does choose to fight on an undercard in December, it’s going to have to be someone who is slow, chinny, and weak. It would be too risky to put AJ in with one of the live dogs, like Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, or Moses Itauma, and watch him get knocked out.
Five Safe Choices for Joshua’s December Return
Arslanbek Makhmudov
Michael Hunter
Mahmoud Charr
Guido Vianello
Stephan Shaw
“It’s just part of the development to get into position to be 100% ready for the big gamble [in 2026]. It doesn’t matter where. It’s not an Anthony Joshua fight night,” said Hearn about Joshua’s next fight if he were to return to the ring in 2025. “This year, no,” said Eddie about AJ not headlining if he fights in 2025.
Finding the Right Fall Guy for AJ’s Tune-Up
I don’t know about the Joshua “development” talk that Hearn is talking about. That sounds like double speak. Joshua is 36, and is as developed as he’s ever going to be. It’s more about making AJ look like pure gold in December, sharpening him up a little, and preserving him by ensuring he destroys his opponent without getting hit with anything big.
“If he fights this year, he won’t headline because it’s not going to be one of those types. We want to work almost in silence, improve, and get into the mode to be 100% ready. This is about development and getting a bit of activity,” said Hearn.
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Boxing News 24 » – An Analyst’s Perspective » Eddie Hearn Says Anthony Joshua’s 2025 Return Will Be a “Development” Undercard to Prepare Him for a Massive Gamble in 2026
Last Updated on 11/02/2025