Anthony Joshua’s Return Delayed: Hearn Confirms No Early Fight.

Eddie Hearn, the British promoter, has officially announced that Anthony Joshua will not step into the ring until at least May 2025, squashing any lingering hopes of an imminent rematch with IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. This decision follows Joshua’s devastating loss to Dubois in September, where he was knocked down four times before succumbing to a fifth-round knockout at Wembley.

Initially, there was speculation about a potential rematch scheduled for February 22, but during a recent conversation, Hearn revealed that the timing is not feasible due to the extent of Joshua’s injuries. Hearn stated, “We had a very awkward call. He wanted to fight on February 22, but we had to overrule him on this because we can’t afford not to get this right.” He emphasized the importance of Joshua returning to the ring fully prepared, both physically and mentally, stating, “If you get beaten again by Daniel Dubois, you have to seriously consider your future.”

Despite these setbacks, Hearn reassured fans that Joshua did not suffer any major injuries. He explained, “There’s no major injury… just wear-and-tear that means he cannot go into a training camp with the same intensity that he would want to.”

Looking ahead, there is ongoing discussion regarding a potential bout between Joshua and Tyson Fury, a matchup that has generated considerable anticipation among boxing enthusiasts. However, Fury must first face unified champion Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, following his loss to the Ukrainian earlier this year.

As Joshua prepares for his eventual return, boxing fans eagerly await what the future holds for the former champion.