Anthony Joshua’s recent loss to Daniel Dubois marked a significant setback in his career. After securing four consecutive victories, his dreams of becoming a world champion for the third time were shattered by Dubois’ powerful onslaught, leaving him back at square one. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist turned 35 on October 15. Now he stands at a pivotal moment in his boxing journey. Despite rumors suggesting his retirement, Joshua remains adamant that he has a few more years left in the sport. As the year draws to a close, fans are eager to know what lies ahead for one of boxing’s biggest names.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s long-time promoter, shared his thoughts on what might be in store for the fighter in the coming year. Among the possibilities are a rematch with Daniel Dubois and a highly anticipated all-British showdown with Tyson Fury—one that boxing fans have long been calling for. Alternatively, Joshua may follow a similar path as after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, which saw him take on a few tune-up fights before challenging for a bigger title.

Anthony Joshua: A Potential Return in May?

Regarding the speculation about Joshua’s potential return in May, a reporter asked Eddie Hearn if it would be a ‘bit too late’ for the former world champion to resume fighting. Hearn pointed out that Joshua had already fought four times from April 2023 to March 2024.

Following his knockout of Francis Ngannou, Joshua’s bout with Daniel Dubois was a significant loss. Hence, Hearn believes Joshua will need a longer break to recover. “He’ll be ready to resume his camp in January so he’ll be good to fight from April,” Hearn explained.

When asked whether Joshua would only be selective about his future fights, Hearn dismissed the idea. “AJ would continue to fight forever; he loves it,” he said. However, Hearn emphasized that the two most significant fights for Joshua are the rematch with Dubois and the long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury. “I don’t see the appeal of any other fight if I’m honest,” he added.

When asked whether ‘AJ’ would be going through a round of tune-up fights, Eddie Hearn flatly refused. “Straight in, straight in, no warm-up fights needed, like not at this stage in the career,” he said.  Much of Joshua’s future depends on how the schedules of Dubois and Fury unfold in the coming months.

The Schedule Conundrum

Tyson Fury is set for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After that, Fury is likely to take a break before beginning a new training camp for his next bout. On the other hand, Daniel Dubois has a busier schedule. He is scheduled to defend his title on February 22. Reports suggest a potential fight against Joseph Parker. The heavyweight from New Zealand who has been on a winning streak and is aiming for another world championship.

Given these developments, Eddie Hearn’s strategy for Joshua’s comeback remains optimistic. Despite the recent setback, Joshua is still one of the biggest draws in British boxing. The key will be how the schedules of Dubois and Fury play out, as they could dictate Joshua’s next move.

What’s Your Take? Do you think Anthony Joshua should take on a lighter opponent before challenging the likes of Daniel Dubois or Tyson Fury?