After a one-year layoff, former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) isn’t certain to make his return this
After a one-year layoff, former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) isn’t certain to make his return this year. The native of Watford, England, hit the canvas four times in a brutal fifth-round knockout loss against then-IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Previous talks for a fight against social media sensation Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) fell off, as “The Problem Child” opted to face WBA lightweight titleholder Gervonta Davis, in an exhibition match set for Nov. 14. However, Hearn indicated that Paul’s team still seeks a clash with Joshua.
And the boss of Matchroom Boxing has one stipulation before any discussions over a potential fight continue.
“They’re telling me they want to do the Anthony Joshua fight,” Hearn told TMZ Sports. “I have told them that if they get chinned by Gervonta Davis, who’s 135 pounds, ‘how could we possibly make an Anthony Joshua fight?’ So, if he can do well in that fight, who knows what the future holds?”
Anthony Joshua has his sights on another top heavyweight
There has been speculation that Joshua may cross paths with another big name from England, former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. “AJ” aimed Fury on social media recently, claiming he would “dissect his career” in minutes.
Following back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, Fury seeks a third fight with the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion. While Hearn says his fighter eyes a showdown with “The Gypsy King.” Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren has also acknowledged the magnitude of a meeting between Fury and Joshua, calling it a “no-brainer.”
“‘AJ’ wants to fight Tyson Fury,” said Hearn. “That’s the biggest fight out there right now. But listen, if someone wants to give us $100 million to spark Jake Paul inside a minute, who would turn that down?”
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