A choice on whether or not former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua will battle in 2025 will probably be made later this week, promoter Eddie Hearn stated Wednesday.
Joshua has been out of motion for nearly 14 months since he suffered a dramatic fifth-round stoppage loss to fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Defeat checked the 36-year-old’s progress beneath coach Ben Davison and one other shot on the world title, however Hearn stated a tune-up bout might happen earlier than this 12 months is out.
“We’ll decide this week by way of whether or not he’ll battle this 12 months,” Hearn instructed Sky Sports activities. “We’ve to determine by this weekend, mainly.
“It doesn’t actually matter the place it’s. You gained’t find out about it till perhaps even battle week. Truthfully. That’s the entire function of it.”
Hearn added: “I feel it might be so good for him however weird on the similar time, as a result of there’s no cash within the battle. We’re not going to start out utilizing him to promote tickets. Actually he’ll simply pop up on a present.
“He’s actually up for it. I feel it might be so good for him. I’d love him to go in there and simply smash somebody up.”
Joshua’s defeat by Dubois ended a run of 4 straight wins after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, who ended his reign as world champion in 2021.
Usyk additionally twice beat one other British heavyweight, Tyson Fury, the previous WBC champion.
Fury retired after that second loss, seemingly scuppering the prospect of a profitable all-British bout towards Joshua.
However current experiences have recommended Fury might resume his profession subsequent 12 months, reviving hopes of a contest with Joshua.
In the meantime, Ghana’s National Sports Authority lifted the suspension on skilled boxing final week, clearing the best way for Matchroom to stage their first-ever occasion within the West African nation 5 days earlier than Christmas, experiences ringmagazine.com.
The NSA had initially made its determination to droop all boxing within the nation after two deaths linked with the game throughout the house of six months.
They insisted the choice was a ‘‘crucial step to guard lives, uphold the integrity of the game and guarantee its future’’ in Ghana. They’ve since sought to strengthen their security protocols and enhance “governance and administrative constructions.”
Regardless of the suspension, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom this month introduced that they are going to be selling for the primary time in Ghana on December 20, with Craig Richards and Dan Azeez set to satisfy in the primary occasion of their present at Legom Sports activities Stadium within the capital, Accra.
Hearn not too long ago instructed The Ring that the occasion, which will probably be proven stay on DAZN, will act as a vital ‘precursor’ to a possible Ghana outing for Anthony Joshua within the new 12 months.
