Anthony Joshua Now In Discussions For Mega Fight

Anthony Joshua could well be involved in a mega fight in 2026, having not fought at all for more than 12 months.

The former two-time unified heavyweight ruler last laced up the gloves in September 2024 when he came unstuck against then IBF champion Daniel Dubois.

READ: Anthony Joshua suffered gruesome in-ring injury before scoring his

Joshua was caught early and stopped inside five rounds to end a decent run that had seen him knock out Otto Wallin, Francis Ngannou and Robert Helenius.

Since then, Joshua has been side-lined after minor surgery and recovering from an elbow injury, but is now looking to return to the ring.

Speaking to iFL TV, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the huge showdown with Tyson Fury is still on the cards in the middle of next year after an initial warm up.

“I think February is the date we’re moving towards now. In Saudi, in Ghana, or in London. I’ll be honest with you, it depends what happens with the Tyson Fury fight because we know that His Excellency is discussing that fight with us.

“Now we have no knowledge how he’s getting on with Tyson Fury. And this is how he works, he’ll do our deal then try and do a deal with Tyson Fury or vice versa. So for us, we haven’t done our deal yet to fight Tyson Fury but we are discussing it … we’re in.”

This is the all-British heavyweight clash that fans have been clamouring for over a number of years. Though arguably both past their best, it is still the best fight that can be made for both men.

Anthony Joshua suffered gruesome in-ring injury before scoring his most bizarre knockout

Fresh from his crowning moment in boxing, Anthony Joshua was forced into some bizarre in-ring adversity against a short-notice foe.

Still yet to secure an opponent for his return to action at the turn of the year, Anthony Joshua is on a quest for a historic third world championship reign in the ring.

READ: “Of Course It Interests Him”: Anthony Joshua Offered One Of The

And gunning for a summer blockbuster with British rival Tyson Fury in a bid to finally settle their score, the Olympian is seemingly on track for an outing in Africa first and foremost.

However, off the back of his first taste of world title spoils, the Watford man was tasked with overcoming one of boxing’s more ghastly injuries.

Anthony Joshua’s in-fight incident with Carlos Takam

Turning in a heroic performance to topple Ukrainian icon Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua had nabbed the WBA and IBO heavyweight crowns, adding to his IBF championship.

And initially set to take on Kubrat Pulev, whom he later knocked out, Joshua was joined in the ring by Carlos Takam on short notice on this day in 2017.

Headlining in Cardiff as part of a two-fight residency ahead of a pairing with recent feature Joseph Parker, Joshua emerged with an eventual win, but not without some controversy.

Dealing with a gruesome nose injury after a clash of heads with Takam, Joshua needed 10 rounds to break down the challenger.

And in the most controversial of circumstances, Takam, who was gushing from his face after Joshua opened a sizable cut, was pulled from the contest by official Phil Edwards.

Post-fight, Joshua also noted his displeasure with the bizarre finish, stating, “I come to fight. I don’t sit on the edge and make decisions. It was a good fight until the ref stopped it, so I have the utmost respect for Takam. People want to see Takam unconscious on the floor, and that’s what I was trying to get to.”

Anthony Joshua’s failed Deontay Wilder clash

As well as missing out on a pairing with Pulev until three years later, initial plans would see Joshua compete against the Bulgarian before a mega fight with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

Failing to share the ring with the Tuscaloosa knockout artist so far, Joshua was pegged on multiple occasions to fight Wilder during the former’s reign as WBC pacesetter.

A year after his win over Takam, too, Joshua was lined up for a blockbuster pair of fights against Wilder again, as well as an overdue bout against the above-mentioned Fury.

Anthony Joshua Offered One Of The Only Fights He Wants

Anthony Joshua has been out of the boxing ring for more than a year but is keen to get back in early 2026.

His last fight came in September 2024 against Daniel Dubois, the then IBF world champion who had been on a great recent run and stopped Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.

Dubois continued that form at Wembley Stadium. From the opening bell, he unleashed a barrage of powerful punches that sent AJ crashing to the canvas early on, and he never seemed to fully recover.

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Joshua, chasing a third heavyweight crown, looked uncharacteristically off-balance and heavy-footed as Dubois’s precision and aggression ruled the night.

Come the fifth round, ‘DDD’ landed more heavy blows and sent Joshua to the canvas one final time as the former unified ruler was counted out by the referee.

After that, Dubois went into an undisputed heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk. It was the second time they had fought and just like the first time, he was stopped inside the distance but many think he has what it takes to become a champion again.

Dubois has not fought since that contest back in August but now, with a new coach Tony Sims in his corner, he is ready to return.

Speaking to iFL TV, he was asked if a Joshua rematch interests him.

“Of course it does. Of course it does.”

Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, has spoken before of Joshua’s desire to avenge his loss to Dubois, so this could be a fight to be made, though WBC interim belt holder Agit Kabayel has also shown an interest in taking on Dubois sometime soon.

Anthony Joshua left in hysterics as Paddy Pimblett takes down and ‘chokes’ boxer in training session

Paddy Pimblett showed Anthony Joshua exactly why he is arguably the UFC’s fastest rising star during a light-hearted training session.

The British pair are two of combat sports’ biggest names, with Joshua a commercial super power in boxing, while Pimblett is currently on a trajectory destined for the pinnacle of the UFC.

Despite their shared talents in combat sports, the two have rarely crossed paths, until now.

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As part of a sponsorship deal with Under Armour, the two were pit against each other in both MMA and boxing training as they showed each other their skills.

Pimblett first showed Joshua some of his wrestling and grappling skills, in particular the chokehold which he used to record career-best victory against Michael Chandler in May.

The Liverpudlian took down the giant heavyweight, who weighs over 230lbs, and quickly placed him in a choke hold.

Of course, it was playful and the pair were seen grinning during the exchange.

Joshua was flat on his back with Pimblett tightening the hold, before loosening the grip.

The British heavyweight was stunned, and replied: “That is mad innit? If you done that properly, I reckon I could get out.”

He then added: “First time I have been in the cage. I just said to myself, ‘this ain’t for me.'”

Proceedings next switched to Joshua, who then coached Pimblett on his boxing ability.

Joshua showed Pimblett a range of powerful combinations, which have seen him floor the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Dillian Whyte during his illustrious career.

The Jiu-Jitsu specialist was keen to learn from AJ and sharpen up his striking, and the pair were grinning throughout their playful session.

What is next for Paddy Pimblett and Anthony Joshua?

For now, the pair are out of respective action and are waiting to officially confirm their next bouts.

They are at very different stages of their respective careers, with Pimblett awaiting a lightweight title shot.

‘The Baddy’ is trying to enforce an immediate clash with 155lbs king Ilia Topuria.

The bout could land in January when the dynamite-striking champion is set to return.

But Justin Gaethje could push to enforce his status as leading contender, and make the rising star wait.

As for Joshua, he is set to make his return imminently after an injury setback following his KO defeat to Daniel Dubois last year.

His exact date for a return has yet to be confirmed, with promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting he could first seek a run-out against lowly opposition before the end of the year.

But he has also been sounded out as a potential headliner for a mega-fight in Africa in February.

Irrespective of what happens, it is seen by Joshua and his camp as a last chance to try and reinstate his name in the world level mix.

Anthony Joshua will be back soon, honest!

It’s looking increasingly likely that he will fight by the end of this year, and a late December date in Ghana is under serious consideration.

However, there are a lot of reasons why a fight in Accra may not happen, and there are equally a lot of reasons why a fight before the end of the year makes sense. This would be the only year in the 12 years that Joshua has been a professional that he has not fought. He needs a fight: it is that simple.

The talk once again is of a showdown with Tyson Fury: a fight first seriously talked about in June 2020, when Fury announced it had been agreed. Fury, however, has talked about a third and final fight with Oleksandr Usyk, who last week claimed he would fight again in 2026. The very top of the heavyweight division is currently in hibernation; the big bears have gone to their lairs with their secret demands, prejudices and fears.

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Fury, Usyk and Joshua have all reached their peak during close to a decade of great fights, and right now, each of their final matches needs to be calculated with care: there is a lot at stake, and they all know that. There are men waiting for a golden opportunity, but the trio know that the riches are contained inside their triangle of conflict, their cosy little war.

“The problem is that there is no way Anthony Joshua can have a low-key fight anywhere in the world,” said Eddie Hearn with a smile and a shrug. “I know what he wants to do: he just wants to get out and fight.” Joshua last fought in September 2024, when he was stopped at Wembley Stadium, in front of nearly 95,000 people, by Daniel Dubois.

If Joshua does fight in December in Accra – or in California, which has also been mentioned – he will not, as Hearn hinted, be the main attraction; he will be a lively sideshow, and that will help him ease back. It is increasingly difficult for main event boxers to return from losses, especially crushing defeats, in low-key fights. The modern pattern is to return in a big rematch, but that is not currently an option. The other route is topping the bill in a main event of significance. Joshua, it appears, does not want the added and unnecessary pressure right now.

In 1991, less than five months after Nigel Benn had lost to Chris Eubank in their first fight – which shaped the future of British boxing – in Birmingham in November 1990, Benn was back in action on a Wednesday night at York Hall. Benn beat Robbie Sims in seven rounds, and there was a Marvin Hagler connection – Sims was his half-brother. It was the fight that Benn needed, a return away from the spotlight and the pressure. Joshua would, it seems, like something similar.

Joshua has been the absolute main attraction in massive fights since beating Dillian Whyte for the British title at the O2 in 2015; it was not his first main event, but it was the first of the big ones, the nights that left an impression. He has fought outside in front of 65,000 people on six occasions during 10 extraordinary years of dominance at the box office. There is, let’s be absolutely clear, nobody in British boxing history that can come close to matching Joshua’s numbers.

Joshua was in Accra in June this year, ringside at a fight, and he met with Ghana’s boxing king, Azumah Nelson. Nelson is Africa’s greatest fighter. It was a historic meeting, especially for a boxing scholar like Joshua. There was a lot of talk at the time, with renewed chat about Joshua’s desire to fight in Africa. He has talked openly about a fight in Nigeria, where his parents are from, for a long time.

Joshua knows his Rumble in the Jungle and has talked about wanting something similar. A fight as part of an undercard in December would not quite be the second coming of George Foreman and Muhammad Ali on that monumental African dawn back in 1974, but it would be a lot of fun. Also, it is worth mentioning that the Rumble took place about 2,100 miles away from Accra.

The fight might be announced soon, or it might just vanish, which would be a shame. Joshua fighting in Accra in late December, with Nelson ringside and a global audience fascinated by the distant echoes of the Rumble, would end the year in style. It would also be invaluable preparation for a swansong fight or two next year. In short, he would have the edge over Fury, who has not fought since last December. It would be a calculated move, and a smart one, but it would not be anonymous.

Anthony Joshua missed ‘mad money’ fight with knockout star as promoter reveals his big regret

Anthony Joshua may be in for a sizable return to the ring before too long, but it seems he still missed out on another lucrative outing.

Expected to make his return to boxing in the coming months, former two-time world heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua received a new update on his future recently, in a surprising move.

And constantly drawing ties to a pairing with fellow British star Tyson Fury, Joshua’s chances of taking on the Morecambe native in an overdue clash also took a notable hit earlier this week.

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However, according to his long-time promoter, Joshua had agreed to a “mad money” fight with another heavyweight from a prior generation, whom he claimed backed out of the clash.

Anthony Joshua missed out on lucrative Deontay Wilder clash

Another pairing Watford star Joshua has been forever linked to is a showdown with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

But according to Matchroom Boxing leader Eddie Hearn, it is not for lack of trying that the Brit has so far failed to secure a fight with the knockout star.

Even tied to a clash at the turn of the year, according to Hearn, “mad money” was tabled to Wilder in order to book a pairing with Joshua — in what the Dagenham native describes as the biggest fight he failed to broker.

“(Anthony) Joshua [versus] (Deontay) Wilder,” Hearn told IFL TV when asked about the biggest fight he failed to make. “We threw mad money at Wilder to take that fight. Al Haymon, everybody — DAZN, and we couldn’t get it over the line.

“…I don’t think the fighter ever ducks the fight,” Hearn continued. “I just think we didn’t get on — mainly Haymon. Our offer for that fight was huge.”

Deontay Wilder reveals date for boxing return

And still tied to a showdown with Joshua in his return to the ring, former world champion Wilder has been linked heavily with another cross-over pairing against an ex-UFC kingpin, too.

However, expected to take one more warm-up fight before potentially one final foray for a world championship, Wilder recently addressed his immediate future in the ring.

Snapping a two-fight skid earlier this summer, Wilder’s comeback to combat seems to line up with the impending comeback of Olympic hero Joshua, too.