Anthony Joshua is unlikely to fight in 2025, with his February return currently the most likely option, promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN.
Hearn has previously said there is a possibility that Joshua – who has not fought since defeat to Daniel Dubois last September – could return this year, but as time passes and the schedule fills up, it is likely that AJ will fight again in early 2026, potentially at a major event in Africa.
“Right now, the more likely scenario is to return in February,” Hearn told ESPN.
“I mean, the most crucial thing is that he’s back in full training camp now [but] leave in December, delivery is very brisk.
“I’m not ruling it out completely, but… there’s training, and then there’s training before the date, and if that date comes in December, he’ll have to find out soon.”
If he returns in 2026, it will be the first time in his career that Joshua has not fought in a calendar year.
Hearn said that in an ideal world, Joshua would return as the co-main event on another card, but admitted that might be challenging given his superstar status.
“He will fight in February, whether it is his second fight or his first fight,” Hearn said.
“It seems like every time he fights, he has to go and fight in this huge stadium and he always puts up a pretty tough fight. It would be nice if this fight was over so you could just wrap your arms around it and just get back into the rhythm.”
“But unfortunately in this respect he is a victim of his own success.”
The next move is crucial for Joshua, who still wants to fight Tyson Fury next year.
Hearn said only Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, was able to strike a deal with Fury.
“Our deal [with Alalshikh] what hasn’t been done is pretty close. We will do a deal but it won’t make any difference if Fury isn’t there,” Hearn said.
“The only person who will make this fight is Turki Alalshikh. That is the reality because the amount of money Tyson Fury would pay and the way this deal has to be done makes him perfectly prepared and prepared to fight this fight.
“So once he does our deal, all he has to do is do a second deal and he’ll be ready, and you’ll support him every time to get that deal done.”