Anthony Joshua’s 17-Month Absence And The Search For A Top-15 Opponent In Early 2026

Promoter Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will likely be preventing in “early 2026” in opposition to a heavyweight within the “prime 15 world rankings” for his tune-up. Hearn states that he’s not curious about a Jake Paul battle after he selected to face light-weight Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match on November 14, 2025.

Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) turns 36 on October 15, and he’ll have been out of the ring for 16 to 17 months when he fights in January or February 2026. AJ is coming off of elbow surgical procedure. The tune-up battle that would have occurred this 12 months in opposition to Paul fell aside when the favored YouTuber turned boxer selected to battle Tank Davis.

Joshua’s New Path

“We’re not within the Jake Paul battle after that,” stated Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to Boxing Information when requested about Anthony Joshua’s plans for his subsequent battle.

Hearn’s remark about him not being curious about a battle between Joshua and Paul displays retired former world champion Carl Froch’s touch upon his YouTube channel that AJ and Eddie had been “hustled” by Jake.

What Froch meant is he believes Paul had “performed a blinder” by being in talks with Hearn for a Joshua battle, however then signing to battle Gervonta Davis to an exhibition conflict on November 14, 2025. In different phrases, Froch believes that Jake had used the curiosity in a possible battle with Joshua whereas negotiating for the match in opposition to Tank Davis.

Navigating the Rankings

“For us, the plan was all the time to have a comeback warm-up battle, and that’s nonetheless the plan. It’s going to be somebody from the highest 15 world rankings,” stated Hearn about AJ’s subsequent conflict. “He’s [Joshua] coaching, and he’ll be able to go, most likely now in early 2026. We haven’t mentioned any opponents but, however we’ll positively need that comeback battle earlier than subsequent summer season. Hopefully, that’s in opposition to Tyson Fury, however we’ll should see.”

There aren’t many protected decisions from the highest 15 for Joshua to battle in a tune-up. Lots of them are highly effective, hungry, and would pose a risk to Joshua.

The Hazard of Prime 15

Hazard of the lower-ranked fighters within the prime tier:

Bakhodir Jalolov
Richard Torrez Jr.
Filip Hrgovic
Deontay Wilder
Efe Ajagba
Murat Gassiev

“Robust rumors are rising from North London that Joshua, the previous unified heavyweight world champion, will face Tony Yoka — and never Paul or Fury — subsequent… Will that battle be the tune-up he wants?” stated author Nick Parkinson to ESPN a few potential subsequent opponent for Joshua in early 2026.