Anthony Joshua’s boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the two-man shortlist for Anthony Joshua’s next fight, which could be in 2026.
The 35-year-old has not been seen in the ring since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September, and he has since undergone elbow surgery that has kept him out of action.
Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has been rumoured for a return following his retirement in January, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh confirming on X: "The 'Gypsy King' will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026.
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"We have a rabbit to hunt!"
The 'Gypsy King' will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026 ... 🥊 We have a rabbit to hunt! 🐰🐇 pic.twitter.com/yhDVkoQD1f
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 2, 2025
Fury quickly reposted the message on his own story, adding: "Let's see what 2026 brings," accompanied by dollar signs and laughing emojis.
However, Fury appeared to recently confirm he was not returning to the ring in an interview with Sky Sports.
When asked when fans can expect to see him back in the ring, Fury replied: "Never!"
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Anthony Joshua has been absent from the ring since his defeat to Daniel Dubois in September | GettyHe continued: "Really. I'm too old, look at my beard, it's all grey.”
With Fury’s retirement status continuing to raise question marks, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has continued to iterate his eagerness to fight AJ, with Hearn confirming the fight is a possibility.
The 46-year-old explained that AJ is waiting for the outcome of potential talks with both fighters as he awaits his boxing comeback.
When asked if Joshua could return to the ring this year, Hearn said: “Not unlikely… but you know, if this fight [vs Jake Paul] was made for January or February, we obviously wouldn’t fight this year.
“But if the fight is not made, then there’s a good chance we could – might – fight this year.
“To be honest, like, at the moment there’s so much going on with that, potential site fees, and obviously see what Tyson Fury’s doing. We’re kind of like… he’s just relaxed at the moment.
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Both Tyson Fury and Jake Paul have been touted for a potential fight with Anthony Joshua by Eddie Hearn
|PA
“And I’m not saying he’s only gonna fight again if it’s the right opportunity, but he also wants to make sure it’s the right path and the right opportunity.
“So, once we find out if this Jake Paul [fight] is truly real, which will flush out certain things, that will decide what we do. Because, of course, like I said, we’re in for that fight if Jake really wants it.”
Hearn concluded by ruling out a potential fight against French 33-year-old boxer Tony Yoka.
When asked if there had been discussions regarding that potential bout, he responded: “Not with me, no. I know that there are some – we’ve had a couple of site offers for AJ to fight. And I know that someone mentioned Tony Yoka as a possible opponent.
“I’ve had no conversations with him, never talked numbers with him. Will AJ fight Tony Yoka? I doubt it, to be honest. But, who knows?”
With Hearn confirming AJ is looking at Fury and Paul, the question remains whether Fury really will come out of retirement to make the highly-anticipated all-English bout finally happen or whether Joshua will take the fight against the American boxer instead.