Anthony Joshua receives update on future in boxing as promoter targets ‘roll of the dice’ fight

Former world champion Anthony Joshua is set to see his immediate future in the ring thrashed out in the coming days, ahead of one final lucrative outing.

Missing out on a planned return to combat before the end of the year, Anthony Joshua had entered the sweepstakes to take on the polarizing Jake Paul in a return; however, the Ohio native is now booked to face Gervonta Davis in November.

JUST IN: Jake Paul Announces Major Change to Gervonta Davis Fight

And with a comeback potentially as soon as January now in the works as part of a historic trip to Africa for the former gold holder, Joshua is seemingly approaching a career swan song.

That swan song in question also appears to be in relation to the biggest fights in the division, culminating in a summer showdown.

Anthony Joshua backed for one last ‘roll of the dice’ clash in 2026

Not having it all his own way in the ring in the last couple of years, beyond an impressive four-fight rise in non-title fights, Joshua came unstuck in back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

And in his last venture to the ring, the Watford star was stopped in brutal fashion by Daniel Dubois, who launched an assault on the IBF heavyweight crown.

However, with a potential January return expected to serve as a warm-up clash, Joshua has been tipped to secure one final lucrative “roll of the dice” fight against a fellow household name by this time next year.

“He (Joshua) needs to get back in the groove against a top twenty guy, that he can go in, blow the cobwebs off, look good and gear himself up for the last big roll of the dice,” Eddie Hearn said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“Right now, I would say January or February in Africa is very common, and I would be looking to head out to see AJ next week to try and finalise some plans.”

And amid plans for one final pageantry showdown, a particular fight has been mooted once more in the boxing scene.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua urged to fight by boxing royalty

On a collision course inside the ring for years at this stage, former world champion stars Joshua and his British compatriot, Tyson Fury, have failed to ever get a pairing over the line.

And it’s the belief of former undisputed world champion Lennox Lewis that if they fail to ever make good on their rumored fight, they would end their gold-laden career with a certain regret.

Lewis warned that based on his experience, he would have regretted not bookending his era in boxing with his fight against Mike Tyson, akin to a 2026 fight between Joshua and Fury.

Anthony Joshua gives brutal response to offer from undefeated 41-year-old boxing legend for comeback fight

Anthony Joshua channeled his inner Canelo Alvarez when responding to Andre Ward’s offer for a potential fight.

Joshua is gearing up for his return to the ring, having been inactive since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September last year.

While he is believed to be making a return in late 2025, or at the beginning of 2026, Joshua’s opponent is yet to be officially announced.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua’s next fight could land in

One man that is vying for the spot in the opposite corner is, former professional boxer, Andre Ward.

Ward was a hugely respected pound-for-pound fighter in his heyday, although he has been retired since 2017.

The American left the ring with an unbeaten professional record of 32-0, but is now suggesting he’d make a return if Joshua accepts his offer to fight.

Ward took to Instagram when he suggested in a video: “There’s one name that I brought up before that when you say that name I can see myself fighting him. Present day. Today.

“If the business was right and everything was right on that front, me and Anthony Joshua.

“That’s a fight that I would take at Wembley Stadium. It’s a dangerous fight for my legacy, it’s a dangerous fight across the board. But that’s a fight that would get me in the gym and get me in the mindset that I need to be in to go to war.

“It’s Anthony Joshua. I know he’s getting ready to fight Jake Paul, I ain’t talking about that. I’m talking about a real fight.”

Joshua quickly hit back suggesting that this is purely a financial move from Ward.

He savagely said: “Pay Day Pay Day [Canelo voice].”

Which then sparked a back-and-forth between the pair in the comment section of Ward’s post.

The 41-year-old hit back, saying: “Of course brother, do you fight for free? Business is always a reason, but not the only reason. I think you understand that.”

To which Joshua replied: “Don’t come asking for multi millions to fight me. Put your pride before your ego and let’s rumble.”

That was where their public interactions came to a close, although Joshua continued to respond to fans remarks in the same comment section.

Who will Anthony Joshua be fighting next?

Ward seemed serious in getting a chance to fight Joshua, but as it stands the Briton is heavily linked to a fight with another American instead.

The next time we see Joshua in the ring, it’s heavily speculated that he will be facing off against Jake Paul.

Paul recently met with Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh to discuss the terms.

Having already verbally agreed to fight it seems to be a matter of when, not if, we see them share the ring.

The pair are even understood to be in advanced talks.

Joshua’s long-term promoter and Matchroom Boxing chairman, Eddie Hearn, issued Paul a warning should their bout go ahead.

It seemed to be a humorous idea at one stage, but now as the conversations are progressing we may seriously see a match up between Joshua and the Youtuber-turned-boxer after all.

Anthony Joshua’s next fight could land in Africa in December against Olympic gold medallist

Tony Yoka believes a fight with Anthony Joshua could take place in Ghana in December.

The Frenchman has been linked as a possible opponent for AJ in recent weeks as speculation ramps up over the Watford powerhouse’s next steps.

Joshua hasn’t boxed since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September, but is expected to return to the ring at the back end of this year.

READ: Joshua Accused of ‘Selling His Soul’ Amid

Reports persist that Joshua could meet YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a crossover clash in the coming months.

However, Yoka insists the Brit’s team are scouting locations for a showdown with him in Africa.

“His team has just left for Ghana to see what the sports facilities are like,” Yoka told L’Equipe.

“There is a possibility that the fight will take place in Africa.

“A lot of people are talking about it, and it could revive boxing in France.

“If it comes to fruition, it will indeed generate enormous interest.”

Despite Yoka’s confidence that the fight will happen, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Paul remains the ‘frontrunner’ to box his client next.

Last week, he even went as far as to suggest that there have been no talks with Yoka’s team.

Yet the Parisians’ co-promoter Yohan Zaoui claims AJ told him that he was ’90 per cent sure’ he would be facing Yoka next when they bumped into each other in Southern Cyprus.

“Who do I run into this morning at the pool? Joshua!” Zaoui told L’Equipe.

“He’s also on vacation with his family, with his younger brother and his nieces and nephews. I chatted with him for a few minutes. He’s humble and kind…

“He told me that his next opponent would certainly be French.

“He told me that he had the option of facing the American YouTuber Jake Paul, but that 90 per cent of the time it would be Yoka.

“I asked him his prediction. He told me that there was no easy fight.”

Yoka succeeded Joshua as the Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist at Rio 2016, but has struggled to adjust to life in the professional ranks.

After a perfect 11-0 start, he suffered a three-fight skid to Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Ryad Merhy before subsequently linking up with new trainer Don Charles in an attempt to revive his career.

Charles famously masterminded Dubois’ victory over Joshua last year and has guided Yoka to three wins in 12 months.