Joshua comeback fight with little notice after Hearn update | Boxing | Sport
Anthony Joshua is set for a last-minute comeback fight before the end of 2025, according to Eddie Hearn. The 36-year-old last fought in September 2024 when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley.
After recovering from elbow surgery in the summer, Joshua has been teasing a return to the ring. A February return had been touted, but Hearn has now hinted that Joshua is going to fight within the next TWO months.
Matchroom stage events on November 15, December 13 and December 27 – and Hearn was asked if former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua will fight on one of the shows. He simply replied: “Yes.”
Joshua was in talks to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 28, earlier in the year. But negiotations were stopped after Paul announced he would face Gervonta Davis, 30, in an exhibition – streamed live on Netflix – on Friday, November 14.
Although that bout is now in doubt after Davis was accused of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress by his ex-girlfriend, who is seeking damages of more than $50,000 (£38,145).
Hearn claimed he has reached out to put Joshua forward as a replacement, should Davis not be able to fight.
He said: “We’re available. Subject to, of course, the global home of boxing in which we have exclusivity with, Anthony Joshua has exclusivity with.
“If you’re asking me, do we take the fight? Of course we take the fight. It would be a nice way to end this little journey. Does Jake Paul really want to fight Anthony Joshua? He’s a crazy guy, he’s a crazy guy.
“Maybe he thinks he can catch Anthony Joshua on the fly, hasn’t really been in training camp. Nothing too much to report to you right now but should the opportunity present itself it would be a huge fight. Never say never.”
Speaking on his future back in June, Joshua revealed he is taking his time to decide on when he returns to boxing.
“This [boxing] is my life,” Joshua said at an event staged by his promoters, Matchroom, with new branding unveiled by the Eddie Hearn-fronted company.
“But what I’ve done is I took a year out for the first time in 12 to 13 years as a professional, not including the amateur stuff. I took a year out to get my body right. I’m at a different stage of my career. I can look at time differently. I haven’t got all these years in front of me, so I’ve got to make an executive decision over what I do next.”
