Despite recent concerns over an injury to Anthony Joshua, promoter Frank Warren has made it clear: the big fights are still on the horizon. Fans and pundits alike were quick to speculate about setbacks, delays, or even cancellations—but Warren is putting those rumors to rest, assuring the boxing world that AJ remains firmly in the mix for major matchups.
In this blog post, we dive into the details of Joshua’s reported injury, what it means for his training and timeline, and why Warren remains confident that nothing will derail plans for blockbuster bouts. Whether it’s a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury, a showdown with Deontay Wilder, or another headline-grabbing event, Warren insists Joshua’s future in the ring is as bright as ever.
We’ll break down Warren’s comments, analyze the current heavyweight landscape, and explore why Joshua’s star power continues to command attention—injury or not. This isn’t just about recovery; it’s about resilience, legacy, and the unwavering belief that AJ’s story is far from over.
Stay tuned as we separate fact from speculation and look ahead to what could be one of the most exciting chapters in Anthony Joshua’s career.
Anthony Joshua Set for Eight-Week Recovery Following Training Injury
Anthony Joshua is facing an eight-week recovery period after sustaining a minor injury during training. The former world heavyweight champion, who is striving to reclaim another shot at a world title following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, has been out of the ring since that September loss. Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the setback is minor but will require time to heal.
While speculation continues to swirl around a potential clash with Tyson Fury, it remains uncertain whether that highly anticipated bout will materialize—especially after Fury’s recent announcement of yet another retirement.
What This Means for Joshua’s Comeback
Anthony Joshua’s journey back to the top of the heavyweight division has encountered yet another obstacle. After a tough loss to Daniel Dubois, the pressure has been mounting on the British fighter to bounce back strong. This latest injury may delay his return, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility of a high-profile comeback fight later this year.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding a match-up with Tyson Fury, fans remain hopeful that Joshua will soon find himself back in the spotlight, potentially setting up a blockbuster showdown once he’s fully recovered.
Stay tuned for updates on Joshua’s rehabilitation and potential opponents as the heavyweight landscape continues to shift.
Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated next fight has been dealt a fresh setback due to Oleksandr Usyk’s bold demands, adding uncertainty to the heavyweight title landscape. Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, has been eager to secure his path back to the top, but negotiations for a rematch or new opponent have hit a roadblock. Usyk, the reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO champion, is making firm demands for more favorable terms, complicating the process of finalizing a deal. As fans eagerly await details, the potential showdown is now clouded with uncertainty, leaving Joshua’s title aspirations hanging in the balance amid these latest developments.
Joshua’s comeback plans have been thrown into doubt after Usyk’s unexpected demands for revised terms, leaving fight negotiations at a standstill. With both fighters eyeing a major showdown, the bold move from Usyk has added fresh tension, delaying the path to the ring and casting uncertainty over Joshua’s next title shot. Fans are left wondering if the clash will happen or if Joshua will need to seek another route to reclaim heavyweight gold.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at his residence in Lagos State.
Joshua, a British-Nigerian boxer and two-time world heavyweight champion, also presented the president with an autographed glove, which read, “To the Great Asiwaju Jagaban Borgu of Africa, Bola A. Tinubu.
Champ @anthonyjoshua pays homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos. Presents him with his autographed glove,” the tweet read.
In late December 2024, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, announced plans by his administration to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in the state.
Abiodun also announced that the two-time former world heavyweight boxing champion would be lighting the Gateway Games National Sports Festival torch, which has been postponed till May 2025.
The governor made this known when he hosted Joshua in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital.
“I want to openly request that, besides the fact that today we are going to officially confirm you as our sports ambassador, we want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up.
“We are going to construct a brand new Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring, and that boxing ring will be in a stadium here in Abeokuta to ensure that you come home more frequently. Besides the fact that you are now our official sports ambassador, we have decided that we will give you a brand new house in Sagamu,” he said.
According to PUNCH Sports Extra, the proposed heavyweight clash between Joshua and another British rival, Tyson Fury, could generate over $300 million in revenue, with both camps expressing interest in staging the fight at Wembley Stadium in 2025,
Following his recent defeat to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, Fury has dismissed retirement rumours and set his sights on facing Joshua in what could be the biggest fight in British boxing history
Anthony Joshua is heading towards the end of what has been a hugely successful boxing career.
The Brit reinvigorated the heavyweight division and brought huge numbers of fans to the sport over the last 13 years since he won his gold medal at the Olympics in 2012.
After turning professional, power puncher ‘AJ’ quickly rose up through the ranks to become a world champion and then a unified belt holder. As well as good wins over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte and Aleksandr Povetkin, there were setback losses on the way to Andy Ruiz and then back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk that left him belt-less.
His attempt to regain world honours fell short back in September when he lost to Daniel Dubois by 5th round knockout. In the aftermath, many thought the one and only fight left to make was with former champion and fellow British boxing star Tyson Fury, who also twice lost to Usyk.
Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Joshua has moved on from the idea of fighting Fury for now and named the fight he wants.
“Daniel Dubois rematch.”
He then corrected himself and pointed out Joshua was more interested in becoming a three-time world champion than getting his revenge.
“Not even the Dubois rematch. The world heavyweight championship. I think Parker is going to be Dubois so maybe we fight Parker.”
All eyes then turn to February 22 when Dubois puts his IBF title on the line for a second time against former champ Parker.
TYSON FURY has cast even more doubt over a showdown with Anthony Joshua coming to fruition.
London, UK: Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin, Heavyweight Contest 1 April 2023 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing Trainer Derrick James speaks with Anthony Joshua
The Gypsy King seemingly put the final nail in the coffin of the long-overdue domestic dust-up last month by announcing his fifth retirement.
Boxing fans and pundits alike aren’t buying what the Wythenshawe warrior is selling and reckon he’s hung up his gloves again to bump up his payday for the AJ fight.
But he recently told promoter Frank Warren that he’s “happy” with his current life after boxing.
The Queensberry Promotions chief revealed on The Ariel & Ade Show: “Can he walk away from the sport? He says he has.
“And at this moment in time, he said to me, he’s really in a good place and that he’s very happy.
“And that, for me, is important that he is happy and that he’s in a good place.
“He’s been one of the best two heavyweights of the 21st century.
“And I just want him now to enjoy his family and his life. He had a hard year last year.
“Three training camps one after another, one fight got cancelled because he got the cut eye.
“He needs now to go enjoy his life and enjoy being with his family, which is what he’s doing.”
As much as he wants Fury to enjoy the fruits of his brutal labour, Warren wouldn’t be surprised if the former heavyweight king’s competitive spirit gets the better of him.
He said: “I’ve not bothered him and I’ve certainly not spoken to him about fighting again.
“And if he does, that’s got to be his choice. He’s a very, very wealthy guy, he’s made a serious amount of money.
“He doesn’t need, financially, to fight. If he does fight, it’s because he’s got a fighting heart.
“Obviously he’ll get well paid if he does fight. But he’s got a fighting heart.”
Fury’s retirement came on the back of consecutive losses to former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
In a video on his social media pages, he said: “Hey everybody, I am going to make it short and sweet.
“I would like to announce my retirement from boxing.
“It has been a blast and I have loved every single minute of it.
“I’m going to end with this – Dick Turpin wore a mask.
“God bless everybody and see you on the other side.”
Anthony Joshua has been advised to steer clear of a huge showdown with Martin Bakole despite claims the deal is complete.
Joshua is at a crossroads in his heavyweight career after being brutally knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September, and has yet to pencil in concrete details over a return fight.
Ben Shalom suggested Joshua vs Bakole is a done deal for the summerCredit: Getty
AJ was keen to face bitter rival Tyson Fury, but the fight appears now off the cards with the ‘Gypsy King’ having announced his retirement from the sport.
He then faced off with Bakole recently, who issued a video call-out on social media, with a huge showdown in Africa on the table.
It would be a tough test for the former two-time champion, with Bakole considered the avoided boogeyman in the blue-riband division.
In the latest episode of talkBOXING, former boxing icon and now renowned promoter Barry McGuigan, insisted he wouldn’t go near Bakole in the current climate.
“If I was managing Anthony Joshua I wouldn’t go near Martin Bakole,” trainer McGuigan said.
“In my opinion there is only another four fights for Joshua. And in reality, he needs to fight for a title or against Tyson Fury.”
Spencer Oliver, former boxer and talkSPORT pundit interjected and insisted the fight with Bakole makes sense for both fighters.
McGuigan then continued: “But for Anthony Joshua, he has probably earned in the region of £200 million.
“So for him, why would he want that fight? I know Turki Alalshikh has taken away the issue of not enough money being in the pot
Joshua could be thrown into the deep end if he faces Bakole after losing to DuboisCredit: Getty
“Those fights we have always wanted to see can happen, people used to use the issue of money, but now that has all been eliminated.
“There is absolutely every chance Bakole could be [a world champion in the next 12 months].
“If he gets a fight against any of those guys he can beat them, he is a nightmare of everybody.”
Joshua has always had a desire to fight in Africa, and Bakole plans to get his native Congo involved with the clash.
Ben Shalom has revealed that a blockbuster clash between Martin Bakole and Anthony Joshua is ‘done’.
Shalom was in attendance for Adam Azim’s victory over Sergey Lipinets on Saturday night at OVO Arena Wembley.
Shalom [right] watched his fighter Azim claim the vacant IBO super lightweight title
Azim recorded his best victory to date by blasting out the Russian inside nine rounds to claim the the vacant IBO super lightweight title.
During the event, Shalom spoke with talkSPORT boxing pundit Spencer Oliver to discuss the fight, but ended up revealing some tasty fight news for another one of his clients.
“The promoter of Martin Bakole that’s what I want to be known as,” he told Oliver.
“The number one heavyweight in the world.”
Shalom proceeded to confirm that Bakole vs Joshua was a ‘done’ deal after the former asserted that he would fight AJ in Africa in the summer.
“It’s done. I’m hearing he’s signed and we’re off to the Congo,” Shalom said.
Joshua and Bakole, 31, have been naturally thrust into a potential showdown ever since Tyson Fury announced in January that he was retiring from the sport.
Bakole, who boasts a record of 21-1 with 16 KOs, is considered by many to be the ‘most avoided’ heavyweight in the division.
However, the Congolese knockout artist has yet to receive his flowers on the world stage in a big-name bout.
This comes despite Bakole locking horns with some of the best in the gym, including Daniel Dubois and current champion Oleksandr Usyk, who he
Bakole and Joshua would be a mouthwatering fight
One fight Bakole has always had his eye on in the professional ranks is British star Joshua, 35, whom he sparred while ‘AJ’ trained in Sheffield.
When asked by Oliver if he can see Joshua getting back in the ring anytime soon Bakole was confident with his response.
“I think he’ll come [back], yeah. I think so,” he said. “There is a big fight waiting for him in Africa.
“Outside the ring I keep working hard because my fight against him in Africa is a big fight.
“I think it will happen in the Congo…we need to fight in the same stadium and I think it’s going to be in Congo.
“I think it will [happen in the summer] because they want us to fight in Africa.
The pair have already faced offCredit: Getty
“It’s close and I will get that.”
Oliver was gleaming with a smile as he said: “Right boys. You’ve heard it here. The fight is happening in Africa in the summer.
Bakole and Joshua came face-to-face recently and teased a showdown at The Ring Magazine awards in London, but they are currently on very different trajectories.
The Congolese star is set to return in a world title eliminator with Efe Ajagba in May as he looks to put his name in the mix.
While Joshua wanted to face Fury next, but the showdown is in jeopardy following the ‘Gypsy King’s’ retirement.
AJ hasn’t revealed a plan for his next outing in a planned comeback after being brutally stopped by Dubois in September.
But his promoter, Eddie Hearn, named Bakole on a list of alternative opponent options for his planned return.
Shalom was just 23-years-old when he launched a boxing promotional company from his flat in Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
He is Britain’s youngest ever licensed boxing promoter.
