Hearn confirms Joshua’s 2025 return date
Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that the former two-time heavyweight champion is set to make his highly anticipated return to the ring in 2025.
The announcement comes in the wake of Joshua’s devastating loss to Daniel Dubois, a fight that derailed his bid to reclaim his position as a dominant force in the boxing world.
Joshua, who turned 35 on October 15, is at a crossroads in his illustrious career. While some speculated the defeat might signal the end of his journey in professional boxing, Hearn dismissed any talk of retirement, reaffirming that the British-Nigerian remains committed to continuing his career.
“Anthony loves boxing; he’d fight forever if he could,” Hearn said.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist entered 2023 with renewed vigour, securing four straight wins and looking poised to challenge for heavyweight supremacy once more. However, his encounter with Dubois in March 2024 proved a stumbling block. A brutal loss—following a first-round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou—reset the trajectory of his comeback.
Speaking on the loss, Hearn acknowledged the need for Joshua to regroup both mentally and physically. “After fighting four times in less than a year, Anthony needs to recharge. He’ll resume camp in January 2025, which sets him up perfectly for an April or May return to action,” he explained.
Hearn made it clear that Joshua’s return would not include tune-up fights.
“At this stage in his career, Anthony doesn’t need warm-ups,” Hearn said.
“He’s going straight in. There’s no appeal in smaller fights; it’s about making the big ones happen.”
This approach contrasts with Joshua’s previous rebuilding phase, following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. Then, he fought Jermaine Franklin and other lower-ranked opponents to regain confidence. Now, with time not on his side, Hearn believes Joshua’s focus must shift exclusively to marquee matchups.
Despite recent setbacks, Joshua remains one of boxing’s biggest draws, both in the UK and globally. His ability to pack arenas and generate pay-per-view interest ensures he will continue to be a key player in the heavyweight division.
The next steps for Joshua largely hinge on the availability of Tyson Fury and Dubois. Fury’s bout with Usyk and Dubois’ February title defence will determine how soon negotiations can begin for either fight.
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