Joshua Eyes Late‑2025 Return on Three Dates

Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed Anthony Joshua will return before the end of 2025, likely appearing on one of Matchroom’s remaining cards on Nov. 15, Dec. 13 or Dec. 27, with no opponent yet confirmed. Joshua is recovering from elbow surgery after his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Hearn says any late‑2025 comeback would probably be a lower‑profile “development” undercard fight to get Joshua “100% ready” for a planned “big gamble” in 2026, with a possible Tyson Fury showdown still a target despite Fury’s stated retirement. Names linked as possible opponents include Jake Paul, Martin Bakole and Tony Yoka, and Hearn said he contacted promoter Nakisa Bidarian to offer Joshua as a replacement when Paul’s proposed fight with Gervonta Davis was jeopardized by legal allegations. He added the return would likely not be a headline pay‑per‑view and could be slotted onto an existing card, avoiding Joshua recording his first full year out of the ring in his 12‑year pro career.