Updated 29 May 2025, 09:45 BST
Anthony Joshua will lace up his gloves just once this year, announced only recently by his promoter Eddie Hearn, that once recovered from his elbow surgery he will fight once in 2025. The former two-time unified heavyweight champion underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on the 4th May, aiming to clear out bone spurs that have hampered full extension since late 2023. With rehabilitation already under way in Oman and a mid-autumn date pencilled in by promoter Eddie Hearn, the Watford powerhouse is mapping a careful route back to world-title contention.
Anthony Joshua first noticed this in late 2023, presumably referring to the Otto Wallin fight on the 23rd of December 2023, in which he won successfully knocking out Wallin in round 5. Since then fighting with a shortened extension on his right arm, his main weapon and where he carries his knockout power, he has fought twice. Ngannou in the middle of 2024, which he won by devastating knockout in round 2, which even Fury couldn’t do. His latest fight he lost suffering a 5th round knockout to Daniel Dubois, in which we didn’t know he had been suffering nearly 9 months with a serious injury. Will we see a difference with a healed and fully fit AJ in 2025?
What was the surgery?
Bone spurs and associated inflammation had limited Joshua’s punching volume in sparring, particularly on overhand rights and uppercuts, his favoured powerpunches. Rather than risk a flare-up mid-camp, Team AJ opted for keyhole surgery to shave down excess bone and flush out debris. The operation lasted under an hour and required only three micro-incisions, minimising scar tissue. Surgeons also inspected the ulnar collateral ligament, reporting no tears and minimal fraying – welcome news given the acute strain a heavyweight jab generates on elbow joints.
Orthopaedic consensus indicates six to eight weeks before unrestricted pad work, though elite athletes often build in an extra cushion for sparring intensity. Joshua’s team has laid out a structured plan that marries sports-science best practice with the boxer’s own feedback.
Who could AJ fight in his return to the ring later this year?
Tyson Fury
Referred to as the “Battle of Britain”. This fight has been teased a lot throughout the years, but the two have never met. This would be AJ’s favourite fight as it makes the most money, however Fury is rumoured to be fully retired, you can read our analysis on if Fury’s retirement is real or not here. The fight would fill out the 90,000 capacity at Wembley and would go down as one of the super heavyweight fights, despite the lack of belts this would be for legacy. This fight would also be difficult to make as Fury as said before he believes he is the A-side against AJ and would demand a larger split of the purse, but coming off 2 loses to Usyk and retired, I’m not sure AJ and team would agree.
Deontay Wilder
Again another fight which has been rumoured for the last 10 years but has never been made is AJ v Wilder. This would end in a knockout for sure with both fighters’ best weapon being their right hand. It would mix the domestic British ppv and the USA ppv markets, leading to a global pay-per-view money maker. This fight would definitely take place on neutral ground in Saudi Arabia, maybe giving more incentive for Turki to make this fight, as it brings people to his country which is his job. However with Wilder aging, now over 40, and suffering a loss to a slower and older fighter in Zhang, does this match up even make sense to make?
Dillian Whyte
A rematch with Dillian Whyte was actually scheduled for August 2023, however an adverse result from a random anti-doping protocol was found so the fight was cancelled. When they first met in 2015 AJ won by knockout in round 7. This would also be an all british fight that appeases the older fans who witnessed the first fight now over 10 years ago, but less publicity and notoriety outside of the UK.
Jared Anderson
No rematch or big talks around this fight in the past, but he is a rising star and the same as every boxer with ambitions, they need to beat a big name. Anderson would hope that name is AJ. Andersons promoters are interested in this fight but it doesn’t make too much sense for AJ, if he loses it would spiral into retirement and if it wins, everyone would say “well it was a nobody this was his first real test” it wouldn’t push AJ up the ranks too much and I think both AJ and Hearn know this.
Daniel Dubois Rematch?
If Dubois defeats Oleksandr Usyk in July, mandatory obligations could block a Fury rematch and leave Dubois seeking a domestic blockbuster. Joshua would need to weigh rivalry heat against the risk of fighting a confident champion ten years his junior.
Where does AJ currently rank in the heavyweight ranking’s?
Joshua currently sits No. 3 with the WBO, No. 4 with the IBF, and No. 5 with the WBC. A decisive win against any top-ten rival could push him into a mandatory position by early 2026, which I think is AJ’s best bet to become a 3X time world champion. With Usyk aging and hinting at heavyweight retirement and Fury unpredictable, the heavyweight deck may reshuffle fast. Joshua therefore treats this comeback as a must-win audition for vacant or split belts next year. If AJ loses, the retirement whispers will grow louder, and he will question if he lingered one fight too many.
Fan Reception and Social-Media Buzz
Initial reaction to Joshua’s surgery was mixed – supportive messages flooded Instagram, but skeptics argued injury excuses have become a pattern since his 2021 defeat to Usyk. However, training-clip engagement metrics remain sky-high: a 17-second video of AJ shadow-boxing left-hand only drew 5.6 million views on X within 24 hours, suggesting the hunger to watch him remains intact. Hearn’s promise of a “fan-friendly undercard” is already trending, with Clarke-Wardley II hashtags charting among UK sports topics nightly.
One fight, one statement, and perhaps one final sprint toward heavyweight glory – becoming a three time heavyweight world champion is his mission and if he picks his opponent correctly in 2025 he will have a shot in 2026.
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