Eddie Hearn has hinted at a potential boxing event in Africa in December, suggesting Anthony Joshua could return before Christmas. Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, has not stepped into the ring since September 2024, when he was devastatingly knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. The British boxer was largely sidelined throughout 2025, but is now returning to training following elbow surgery.
Hearn recently revealed that ten candidates are being considered for Joshua’s comeback fight, which could potentially be held in Africa. The next plan is to continue the long-awaited meeting with Tyson Fury next year. The “Gypsy King” retired from boxing earlier this year after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, but has given no hints about a possible return next year.
In a recent interview with Sportico and the boxing crowdHearn revealed Matchroom’s itinerary for the rest of 2025, which includes visits to Australia, Monaco, Birmingham, Los Angeles and a weekend in Africa just before Christmas.
This news came shortly after the boxing promoter had talks with Joshua about his future. He suggested that “AJ” could enter the ring this year, rather than the previously planned 2026 return.
“I talked to AJ earlier in the week and it’s really time to make some decisions,” he said iFL Television.
“So I flew to Dubai where he was training and had a very nice few days there. We had some really good meetings with AJ, they were very positive and went there and watched him train.
“He’s training pretty much at full speed… his elbow is fully healed and he wants to know what the plan is. He wants to move. We have to do it now.
“It’s kind of like one substantial roll of the dice. It might take 18 months, maybe two years, I don’t know. But he wants to be energetic and that’s a really good thing.”
“So maybe you’ll see him sooner rather than later. That’s all I’ll say. But there’s a lot of options on the table, a lot of cities to fight, and he’s just excited to fight again.”
The African boxing scene has recently gained significant momentum – the most critical events were held in Ghana and Nigeria, where Joshua’s parents were born.
Promoter Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, who worked with boxing legend Amir Khan during his appearance in Nigeria, wants to bring Joshua to compete in Africa.
“Adamu revealed that talks are ongoing with Joshua’s team about a possible fight in Nigeria, saying: “We have had an initial conversation and we will continue to fight. We are looking at the first quarter of next year.
“We all know AJ has always said he wants to fight in Africa before the end of his career and we believe Nigeria is actually the best story. Nigeria has the largest population in all of Africa, approximately 250 million people.
“Nigeria is the economic capital of all of Africa. The list is long. We believe we can achieve it.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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