Joshua announced in May 2025 that he needed elbow surgery, which put him out of training for 6-8 weeks. The procedure dashed any hopes of a hypothetical clash with Tyson Fury in 2025.
The British boxer's last outing ended in disappointment. Daniel Dubois stopped him in five rounds during their September 2024 bout for the IBF heavyweight championship. That loss brought Joshua's record to 28-4 with 25 knockouts.
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury, known as the "Gypsy King," lost to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. After the defeat, Fury retired for the fourth time in his career, leaving his record at 34-2-1 with 24 knockouts.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, shared the comeback strategy with Sky Sports. He said:
"We have to choose carefully the next fight, and I think the best way to do that is to be honest and say it will be a comeback fight to have a shot next summer."
Hearn emphasized they want Fury as the preferred opponent for summer 2026. However, they're open to other significant matchups if that doesn't work out.
For Joshua's return fight in 2025, Hearn aims to pick a "top 15" fighter. He ruled out immediate rematches with Fury, Usyk, or Dubois. The promoter sees this as a chance for Joshua to get back in the mix after a year away and prepare for what he calls Joshua's "last chance."
"We need a 'top 15' fighter now," Hearn stated, underlining the importance of a competitive bout to set up Joshua's future.
A clash between Joshua and Fury would give British boxing fans the fight they've wanted for years. Even though it's happening late in both fighters' careers, the winner could still claim a top spot in the heavyweight division.
There's also talk of a potential fight between Joshua and rising star Itauma. This matchup would pit the old guard against the new, creating an interesting generational clash in the heavyweight ranks.
For Joshua, this comeback offers a shot at regaining his place at the top of the heavyweight division. For Fury, if he decides to un-retire, it could open up another chance to face Oleksandr Usyk.
While the timing might not be ideal, a Joshua-Fury bout would still deliver the long-awaited British heavyweight showdown that fans and the boxing world have craved for years.