British boxing star Anthony Joshua has suffered an injury setback that will keep him out of full training for up to ten weeks, delaying his return to the ring. However, his promoter Eddie Hearn remains optimistic about a potential blockbuster fight against Tyson Fury later this year.
Joshua, 35, has not fought since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, and plans for a high-profile bout in 2025 have now been put on hold due to his injury. According to BoxingScene, Joshua will be unable to punch or train properly for at least eight to ten weeks.
The injury comes at a time when the heavyweight division is in flux. Tyson Fury, 36, shocked the boxing world by announcing his retirement in January after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. However, Hearn believes the former world champion may return to the ring.
“In my deluded head, Fury comes out of retirement at some point in the next few months, and they end up fighting this year,” Hearn said. “It’s the biggest fight to make, and it’s not like he looked shot against Usyk—he just got beaten by the better man.”
While Joshua recovers, Hearn suggested that Fury and Dubois are the only two opponents that would truly motivate AJ for his comeback.
With uncertainty surrounding both fighters’ futures, boxing fans will have to wait to see if one of the biggest fights in heavyweight history can still be made.