Anthony Joshua’s Return to the Boxing Ring
In an update regarding Anthony Joshua‘s return to the boxing ring, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that the heavyweight champion’s long-awaited comeback may not occur until early 2025. Hearn, speaking during an episode of Matchroom’s Flash Knockdown podcast, noted that Joshua is back in training after recovering from elbow surgery but emphasized that logistical challenges and site fee negotiations are delaying the announcement of his next fight.
“Given the current timeline, it seems more realistic that we won’t see Anthony Joshua in the ring until January or February of next year,” Hearn stated.
He cautioned against expectations of a December fight, asserting,
“These significant events require ample time to arrange, and every AJ fight is a notable occasion.”
Potential Match in Ghana
Recently, discussions regarding a potential match in Ghana have taken place, with Hearn confirming that a generous offer has been made to host Joshua in the country—a historical nod to Muhammad Ali‘s famous bout against George Foreman in Zaire over half a century ago. Hearn remarked,
“The meetings in Ghana have been well-documented, and it would be fantastic for AJ to compete in Africa.”
He added that the scheduling would ultimately depend on Ghana’s preferred date for the event.
Future Plans for Joshua
Despite not stepping into the ring since September 2024, when Joshua suffered a knockout loss against Daniel Dubois, Hearn assured fans that there’s no urgency to rush Joshua back into high-stakes battles. Before pursuing a significant matchup, such as a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury in 2026, the team expects Joshua to have a preliminary fight to gauge his readiness. Hearn explained,
“He has been out for almost a year, so our plan is for him to have some sort of warm-up fight, likely looking to face a contender from the top five heavyweights.”
Joshua’s last victory came in March 2024, where he defeated Francis Ngannou, but his aspirations for a third world title are still on the table, pending future performances.
Fans can catch the full conversation with Eddie Hearn on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.
About the Author
Phil Jay, a seasoned boxing journalist, has been at the forefront of covering the sport for over fifteen years, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, where he has reported from ringside on the sport’s biggest events and interviewed numerous champions.
