Yan Nigeria
Former unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua is still not ready to return to the ring, with his promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that the British-Nigerian boxer’s comeback remains uncertain as he continues to recover from elbow surgery.
Anthony Joshua, 35, has not fought since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last year, a defeat that led to corrective elbow surgery and an extended layoff.
During his time away from the ring, Joshua has been seen on a tour across Africa, making high-profile visits to Nigeria and Ghana.
In an interview with Boxing Social, Hearn offered a frank assessment of Joshua’s status.
“Honestly, nowhere. Like, I mean, training camp not ready to start but close,” Hearn revealed. “We had a conversation the other day, and I said to him, ‘You need to let me know when you’d be ready by.’ And that was the end of October, but happy to fight in November or December.”
According to Hearn, Joshua is expected to fight only once this year, although the identity of his next opponent remains unknown.
“I have absolutely no idea,” Hearn admitted when asked who Joshua might face.
Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson had previously been floated as possible options, but Whyte is now booked to fight rising star Moses Itauma on August 16, while there have been no fresh developments regarding Anderson.
Meanwhile, American heavyweight Deontay Wilder has expressed interest in finally facing Joshua, stating, “I’m ready. As long as he’s in the division and I am too, I’ll always be willing to fight.”
However, Wilder is currently preparing for a scheduled bout with Tyrrell Anthony Herdon later this month.
Joshua is also reportedly keeping a close watch on the highly anticipated July 19 bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, two fighters who have both defeated him in recent years.
Despite the uncertainties, Hearn remains hopeful about arranging what many fans see as the ultimate showdown in British boxing: Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury.
“If we don’t make the Tyson Fury fight, it would be a big shame,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “For me, the Tyson Fury fight has to happen. I think there’s no excuse now why that shouldn’t happen.”
He added, “To see those two in the opposite corner would be an iconic moment for not just British boxing, but British sport.”
Looking further ahead, Hearn hinted that the end may be near for Joshua’s storied career, suggesting 2026 could mark his retirement.
“2026 could be his last year in the sport… one little last roll to this incredible career,” he said.
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