Eddie Hearn, the promoter for Anthony Joshua, has officially confirmed that the former two-time heavyweight boxing champion is set to make a highly anticipated return to the ring in 2025.
This announcement comes on the heels of Anthony Joshua’s recent and crushing defeat to his rival, Daniel Dubois, a setback that significantly hindered his aspirations to reclaim his status as a dominant figure in the boxing world.
Joshua, who celebrated his 35th birthday on October 15, finds himself at a crucial juncture in his illustrious career. While speculation arose that this latest loss could spell the end of his professional boxing journey, Hearn firmly dismissed any notions of retirement.
He emphasized that the British-Nigerian boxer remains deeply committed to his craft and is eager to continue competing. “Anthony loves boxing; he’d fight forever if he could,” Hearn remarked.
Entering 2023, Joshua appeared rejuvenated and focused, beginning the year with four consecutive victories that positioned him as a frontrunner for heavyweight supremacy.
However, his highly publicized encounter with Dubois in March 2024 marked a significant turning point. The fight ended in a brutal loss for Joshua, which notably followed a first-round knockout victory over UFC champion Francis Ngannou. This shocking defeat forced Joshua to reassess his path back to championship contention.
In light of this loss, Hearn highlighted the necessity for Joshua to take some time to regroup, both mentally and physically. “After fighting four times in less than a year, Anthony needs to recharge,” he explained, noting that Joshua will resume training camp in January 2025. This timeline sets the stage for a potential return to the ring in either April or May of the said year.
Also, Hearn has stated that Joshua’s comeback will not include any so-called “tune-up” fights. “At this stage in his career, Anthony doesn’t need warm-ups,” he asserted. “He’s going straight in. There’s no appeal in smaller fights; it’s about making the big ones happen.”
This approach marks a significant departure from Joshua’s past strategy of rebuilding after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. After those defeats, he fought against lower-ranked competitors like Jermaine Franklin to regain his confidence.
Looking ahead, the next steps for Joshua heavily depend on the availability of two key figures in the heavyweight landscape: Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.
Fury’s upcoming bout with Oleksandr Usyk, along with Dubois’ title defence scheduled for February, will play a critical role in determining the timeline and feasibility of negotiations for potential matchups.
Anthony Joshua and his team are keenly aware that these next fights could be pivotal not just for his career, but for reshaping the heavyweight division as a whole.