World Rankings Strip Anthony Joshua in Harsh Pre-comeback Knock
In the world of boxing, anticipation is building as former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua prepares for his long-awaited return to the ring. As of now, there is no confirmed date or opponent for his next fight, which is expected to take place in spring 2026 at the earliest.
Joshua, who has been out of the ring for 12 months, is now back in training after undergoing elbow surgery. His primary focus is on one last 'roll of the dice' next summer, but his immediate priority is to face a carefully selected opponent in January or early February.
The British boxer's next fight will be against a top-15 opponent, excluding heavyweight titans such as Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, and other top-ranked heavyweights. The IBF heavyweight rankings currently list Derek Chisora, Efe Ajagba, Frank Sanchez, Moses Itauma, Richard Torrez Jr, Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic, Jared Anderson, Michael Hunter, Martin Bakole, Bakhodir Jalolov, Peter Kadiru, Lawrence Okollie, Guido Vianello, and Itauma himself as the top contenders.
One potential opponent for Joshua could be Tony Yoka, although no discussions have been held as of yet. Another intriguing possibility is a crossover clash with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who has bizarrely targeted a date with Joshua thereafter. Genuine negotiations have taken place for this potential match-up, scheduled for early 2026.
Meanwhile, in the heavyweight division, the IBF title is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Joshua in their September 2021 bout. The winner of the upcoming Ajagba vs Sanchez fight, scheduled to be an IBF final eliminator later this year, will become the new IBF mandatory and potentially face Usyk.
Inactivity has caused Joshua to drop out of the IBF heavyweight rankings, with Itauma replacing him. However, a defeat for Joshua at this stage of his career could be devastating to his plans for a final 'roll of the dice' next summer.
As the boxing world eagerly awaits Joshua's comeback, the stage is set for an exciting period in the heavyweight division. With potential match-ups against contenders like Yoka, Paul, and the winner of Ajagba vs Sanchez, Joshua's return to the ring promises to be a significant event.
On the other hand, the much-anticipated summer blockbuster fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury remains the main target for boxing fans worldwide. If negotiations for this highly anticipated bout can be finalised, it would undoubtedly be a defining moment in the careers of both fighters.
In the meantime, Joshua continues his training and preparations, aiming to regain his place at the top of the heavyweight division and secure a fitting end to his illustrious career with a final 'roll of the dice' next summer.
