Anthony Joshua is set to keep his fans in suspense regarding his ring comeback until just 48 hours before the fight begins. The heavyweight boxer has been out of action since suffering a devastating defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois at Wembley last September. Joshua is eager to have a warm-up bout before aiming for a high-profile showdown with fellow British boxer, Tyson Fury, in the upcoming year. There is a possibility that the two-time world champion might feature on an undercard before Christmas, with short notice.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed, “A decision on his next fight will be made this week. If a fight is scheduled for this year, it will be kept under wraps until fight week. Potential opponents have been in discussions for a warm-up fight, focusing on a low-key approach with a sudden appearance at the event.” Hearn expressed his excitement for Joshua’s return but emphasized the unconventional nature of the plan, highlighting that the fight is not about ticket sales but simply about Joshua showcasing his skills in the ring.
Hearn mentioned that an exception to this strategy would be a possible match-up against YouTuber Jake Paul. While Paul had arranged to face Gervonta Davis in an exhibition fight, it was canceled due to legal issues. Paul is exploring alternative opponents for a December bout, but Hearn clarified that Joshua is not part of the discussions. Although the idea of Joshua facing Paul is intriguing, Hearn doubts the feasibility of such a match.
In other boxing news, the highly anticipated Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn rematch is scheduled to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15. Fans can either purchase the fight on DAZN PPV for £24.99 or watch it for free with a DAZN Ultimate plan.
Joshua is currently in search of a new coaching team following his split with trainer Ben Davison. The Olympic gold medalist recently visited Oleksandr Usyk’s training camp in Spain as he prepares for the next phase of his career. Joshua has previously worked with renowned trainers such as Tony Sims, Rob McCracken, Robert Garcia, and Derrick James before transitioning to Fury’s former training camp.