Anthony Joshua will not retire in 2026 as initially planned, with his promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that the former two-time world heavyweight champion is now expected to remain active until 2027.
Hearn had previously stated that Anthony Joshua would likely hang up his gloves by the end of 2026. However, the delay in his comeback following a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September has pushed back retirement plans.
The 35-year-old has been sidelined for over a year with an elbow injury that required surgery in May but has now returned to training ahead of a scheduled comeback in early 2026.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn said: “I always said that 2026 would likely be his last year in the sport. But now with the delayed comeback, probably (could go until) 2027.”
Hearn stressed that Joshua’s future in the sport depends on his results when he returns. “If he was to get beaten in his next fight, that would probably be it, because that’s a fight that he’s expected to win,” he said. “Then if it’s Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois, whoever it is. Any defeat it’s going to really make you consider your position.”
Joshua’s last fight was in September 2024, when he was stopped in five rounds by Dubois at Wembley Stadium. Hearn confirmed that the comeback bout will be carefully chosen to rebuild momentum.
“We have to choose carefully the next fight, and I think the best way to do that is to be honest and say it will be a comeback fight to have a shot next summer,” he explained. “We want it to be against Tyson Fury (summer 2026). If not, it will be another huge fight.”
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