Anthony Joshua, the former two-time heavyweight champion, has sustained a mysterious injury to the 'top half of his body' that is set to delay his return to boxing this summer. Joshua's recent difficulties in the ring have left fans anxious about his future, particularly following his shocking defeat to Daniel Dubois last September at Wembley Stadium. According to Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, the injury will prevent him from resuming full training for eight weeks, casting uncertainty on his competitive schedule.
Hearn previously indicated that a rematch against Dubois, as well as an anticipated all-British showdown with Tyson Fury, were high on Joshua's agenda. Other potential opponents, such as Joseph Parker, Deontay Wilder, and Martin Bakole, are also in the mix for the fighter's return. However, now with the injury sidelining him, it remains unclear when Joshua will finally be able to step back into the ring.
“Nothing major but it means that he's been returning to training and it's not quite ready to turn back to camp,” Hearn explained while keeping the exact nature of Joshua’s injury under wraps. Joshua, who needs about another eight weeks until he can punch properly, will find himself looking toward late April or May to officially kick off his training camp. This timeframe suggests a potential comeback at the back end of summer 2025, if all goes according to plan.
Before his loss to Dubois, Joshua had been riding high on a four-fight winning streak, having secured victories against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius after previously falling to Oleksandr Usyk in two back-to-back title fights. Fans were optimistic when Joshua entered the ring against Dubois, as he was seen as the favorite and in the best shape of his career. However, everything changed dramatically during that match when he was knocked out in the fifth round by a powerful right hand from Dubois.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul has entered the conversation, teasing a potential heavyweight battle against Joshua in 2026 following his own ascent in the boxing world. The 28-year-old social media star achieved significant recognition after stepping up to heavyweight and defeating legendary fighter Mike Tyson, albeit at 58 years old. Following this fight, Paul called out Joshua on his podcast, where he confidently claimed he could defeat the former champion, stating, "He doesn’t have a chin, and he has no skill and he’s stiff." Paul is aiming to draw Joshua out of his hiatus after the heavyweight's recent struggles, suggesting that an encounter between the two could garner substantial public interest.
Joshua responded to Paul’s call-out by posting a screenshot of a phone call with him on social media, captioning it simply with '2026'. This has only stirred further speculation regarding a match-up that many analysts believe would favor the British fighter, given his significant height and weight advantages. Joshua stands at 6 feet 6 inches and weighs approximately 25 pounds more than Paul, who at times has been viewed as a novice in the boxing realm compared to established fighters like Joshua.
Despite Paul's bravado, reactions from the boxing community have not been entirely supportive of his claims. Sports commentator Ade Oladipo remarked on how quickly Joshua could finish a fight against Paul, implying that the more experienced boxer would likely do so within mere moments. The sentiment continued with former boxer and trainer Dave Coldwell commenting, “AJ would snap his neck with a jab.” While Paul has won 11 of his 12 professional bouts, his experience pales in comparison to Joshua, who has faced some of the toughest competitors in the sport today.
This latest development comes on the heels of a disappointment for Paul, who had been snubbed by Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, who opted to fight Terence Crawford instead of facing him. This rejection adds further fuel to his desire to engage with Joshua, who has been somewhat dormant since his loss to Dubois.
With Joshua's ongoing recovery and Paul's bold provocations, the stage is set for an intriguing chapter in heavyweight boxing. Fans are left speculating not just about Joshua’s return, but also how a future match against Paul could unfold should both parties eventually step into the ring. For now, it remains critical for Joshua to focus on regaining his health and readiness to compete at the highest levels once again.
