Anthony Joshua’s return to boxing has seen one other twist on this seemingly never-ending tale.
Gearing up for his comeback to the ring for the primary time since his stunning knockout loss to Daniel Dubois over a yr ago, former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has yet to land an opponent for the clash.
And linked most recently to a showdown with Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov off the back of his win over Dave Allen, Joshua seemed set for a 2026 return to motion.
Nevertheless, in a brand new update, the Watford native could also be returning before expected, in a setting which might snap his lengthy spree.
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Anthony Joshua may compete before 2026
In a brand new update from Matchroom Boxing leader Eddie Hearn, the Dagenham promoter revealed Joshua could feature as soon because the last months of 2025.
And besides, in response to the veteran boxing matchmaker, Joshua could be placed on the undercard of a possible end-of-year show.
If that were the case, Joshua could be fighting in a clash outside of a predominant event for the primary time in 10 years, when he improved to 13-0 with a knockout of Kevin Johnson on the undercard of Kell Brook’s showdown with Frankie Gavin.
“All I’m saying is, if he (Anthony Joshua) fights this yr, it would just be a ‘run out’ fight,” Hearn told IFL TV. “Because, coming back and fighting in an enormous arena, in a tricky fight after being out for a yr and a half, it’s challenging.
“And it ain’t in regards to the money [in] this fight this yr,” Hearn explained. “…It’s 50/50 if he fights this yr, but when he’ll (sic), he’ll be added to a card. He won’t be headlining.”
Anthony Joshua picked to knock out ‘dangerous’ star.
Having shared the ring with the above-mentioned 6ft 5in Makhmudov, veteran British star Allen has weighed in a possible fight between the Russian and his compatriot.
And having trained with the Olympic gold medalist up to now, Allen raved over the facility of Makhmudov.
But so far as he’s concerned, Joshua holds the tools to likely finish Makhmudov — early, in reality.
I believe I’d pick (Anthony) Joshua to beat him (Arslanbek Makhmudov). I believe Joshua will flatten him in a pair rounds. But he’s a dangerous guy though, so it’d be fight while it lasted,” Allen told Boxing King Media.