Anthony Joshua’s illustrious boxing profession might come to an finish in 2026, in accordance with his long-time promoter, Eddie Hearn.
The 35-year-old former two-time heavyweight world champion is at the moment recovering from elbow surgical procedure and is predicted to return to the ring later this 12 months, focusing on a comeback battle in September.
Nevertheless, Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua is probably going approaching the ultimate stretch of his skilled boxing journey.
Learn Additionally: Anthony Joshua has three fights left before retirement- Hearn
“Most likely 2026 will probably be his final 12 months within the sport,” Hearn mentioned on The Ariel Helwani Present.
“You by no means know, however fascinated by it realistically, it’s in all probability three fights away. If I’m advising AJ, I’m considering: ‘We’re again this 12 months, then two Tyson Fury fights; what else is there to do?’”
Anthony Joshua, who turned skilled in 2013 after profitable Olympic gold at London 2012, has not fought since struggling a shock fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, a loss that value him the IBF heavyweight title.
Whereas a much-anticipated showdown with long-time rival Tyson Fury has been lengthy mentioned, Hearn recommended that the blockbuster battle is unlikely to occur in 2025.
Nonetheless, he believes it’s the ultimate frontier for Joshua earlier than calling time on a adorned profession.
“I’d love him to have one other crack at Dubois; I’d love him to battle (Oleksandr) Usyk once more,” Hearn added. “However one thing feels proper about beating Tyson Fury twice after which crusing off into the sundown.”
Joshua’s profession highlights embody two reigns because the unified heavyweight champion. Nevertheless, his path again to the highest has been rocky since consecutive losses to Usyk in 2021 and 2022, adopted by final 12 months’s devastating loss to Dubois.
