3<\/p>\n Joshua hasn’t fought since a fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois in September 2024Credit: Getty<\/p>\n While Joshua showed immense heart to continually get back to his feet and roll the dice, it felt like the closing of the penultimate chapter in his career.<\/p>\n The defeat was equally damaging and unforgiving, and it led to a lengthy 15-month hiatus from the ring.<\/p>\n A decent chunk of his time on the sidelines was filled by the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation of a lingering shoulder injury.<\/p>\n However, it was also an important period of reflection.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON BOXING Anthony Joshua opens up about Daniel Dubois loss<\/p>\n \u201cI always say this: For every time you win, there is a reason, for every time you lose, there is a reason,” said Joshua on his YouTube channel.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026 why I pause is, when you lose, you tend to take a deeper look at yourself.<\/p>\n “Take time to figure out what went wrong. <\/p>\n “I had to look at the reasons why I lost, and I said to myself, \u2018I think I need a bit of time.’<\/p>\n \u201cI predicted this moment in\u2026 2018? Not the loss, but the work I was taking on was a lot.<\/p>\n \u201cInside training, preparing for fights, working outside of\u00a0boxing\u00a0\u2013 for any man or any woman, at some stage, they probably need a bit of a reset.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Joshua’s showdown with Dubois appeared to be a formality pre-fight, although Dubois had other ideasCredit: Mark Robinson\/Matchroom 3<\/p>\n Joshua ends his 15-month hiatus on Friday against PaulCredit: Getty<\/p>\n \u201cI came to that stage really in 2025, where it was that time. <\/p>\n “I thought, ‘You know what, I think I need a year out of the game.\u2019”<\/p>\n Joshua’s break from competition comes to an end on Friday night<\/a> when he locks horns with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul<\/a>.<\/p>\n The pair are set to square off in a professional heavyweight clash that Joshua is expected to end inside two rounds.<\/p>\n Providing everything goes to plan, he will make a quick turnaround in February before diving into a blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury<\/a> in the summer.<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2173600274_810001.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/crop-2074764.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Jake](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765942629_404_crop-3791226.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n