Anthony Joshua's Boxing Return Confirmed As Eddie Hearn Reveals Next Move

Anthony Joshua is likely to return to boxing before the end of 2025, his promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed.

Joshua hasn't fought since losing his IBF heavyweight title match against Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

The reason behind his absence has been a elbow injury, which he underwent successful surgery on in May.

The 36-year-old returned to training in September and has since been preparing for his next fight.

In August, Hearn claimed that Joshua would step back into the ring in either January or February 2026 against what he described as a 'carefully' selected opponent.

Anthony Joshua training mixed martial arts with Paddy Pimblett @UnderArmour #UFC #wrestling #MMA pic.twitter.com/bpvvFZqoUc

— Legionnaire Combat Sports (@Legionnairecsn) October 22, 2025

But his return has now been seemingly brought forward.

Speaking to DAZN, Hearn stated that Joshua will fight on a DAZN card before the end of 2025.

When given three potential dates by reporter Chris Mannix - November 15 in London, December 13 in California and December 27 in Riyadh - and asked whether Joshua would fight on one of those dates, Hearn replied: "Yes."

He expanded in an interview with iFLTV: "We've got about eight shows [before the end of 2025]. You've got Eubank Jr vs Benn, Ben Whittaker. There's the Riyadh show on November 22, the Monaco show on the 6th, the Stockton show on the 13th.

"There's a new show being announced on December 20. And the 27th in Riyadh."

"By the way, Mannix was sticking it on me on the broadcast," Hearn continued. "He just said, 'In your opinion, do you think he'll fight this year?' And I was like, 'Yeah'."

Hearn was then asked about the possibility of Joshua fighting Jake Paul, with uncertainty over whether Paul's original opponent, Gervonta Davis, will be allowed to compete amid allegations of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress towards his ex-girlfriend.

A stumbling block could arise due to Hearn and Joshua being exclusive to DAZN, while Paul's fights are broadcast on Netflix.

"A lot of things that fall into place where it's possible," he said. "That's one of the things that would have to fall into place - I'm exclusive to DAZN, AJ is exclusive to DAZN.

"I've been hounded by the media all day, 'Have you spoken to Jake Paul?' Yes, I have spoken to Nikisa [Bidarian, Paul's manager]. We've talked over it and around it. I know the situation."

When asked whether he'd held talks with Joshua, he replied: "Yes. [He said] Just let me know where, and when."