Anthony Joshua, the former two-time heavyweight champion, is gearing up for a highly anticipated comeback in 2025, his promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed.
The announcement follows Joshua’s devastating loss to Daniel Dubois, a fight that halted his bid to reclaim dominance in the heavyweight division. Now 35, the British-Nigerian faces a pivotal moment in his storied career. Despite speculation that the defeat might signal the end of his boxing journey, Hearn dismissed any retirement rumors, affirming Joshua’s commitment to the sport.
“Anthony loves boxing; he’d fight forever if he could,” Hearn said.
Joshua began 2023 with a renewed drive, racking up four consecutive wins and looking primed for a return to the top. However, his March 2024 encounter with Dubois proved a major setback. The loss, which came after a stunning first-round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou, has prompted Joshua to reassess his approach.
Hearn emphasized the importance of mental and physical recovery for Joshua after a hectic schedule that saw him fight four times in less than a year. “Anthony needs to recharge. He’ll resume camp in January 2025, setting up a return to the ring in April or May,” Hearn explained.
Unlike previous rebuilding efforts following his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, Joshua will not take tune-up fights. “At this stage in his career, Anthony doesn’t need warm-ups,” Hearn stated. “He’s going straight in. Smaller fights don’t appeal to him; it’s about making the big ones happen.”
During his earlier comeback phase, Joshua faced lower-ranked opponents like Jermaine Franklin to regain his footing. Now, with time becoming a critical factor, the focus is solely on marquee matchups.
Despite recent setbacks, Joshua remains a massive draw in the heavyweight division, commanding significant pay-per-view interest and filling arenas both in the UK and globally. Hearn is confident that Joshua’s presence ensures he will remain a key player in the division.
The next phase of Joshua’s career will depend largely on the availability of Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. Fury’s impending showdown with Oleksandr Usyk and Dubois’ February title defence will likely shape the timeline for potential negotiations.
Joshua’s journey may have hit a few roadblocks, but his determination to return to the pinnacle of boxing remains unwavering. Fans can expect him to return with renewed vigor in 2025, ready to take on the sport’s biggest challenges.
