Joshua in hibernation until 2026

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by like a boss, Aug 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM.


  1. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,201
    8,323
    Jul 30, 2012
    Hearn says Joshua won't fight again until 2026.

    Must have had more trouble getting a suitable heart donor than they expected.
     
  2. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    27,181
    36,229
    Jul 4, 2014
    I think he's almost done. We will be lucky if we get him in against Wilder, never mind another good run. Fury don't want it, so that's out.

    The division is poorer without him.
     
  3. Ike

    Ike Member Full Member

    406
    635
    Feb 20, 2025
    I think Joshua's career at the highest level is over. I think he'll have a comeback fight and then there'll be the Fury fight
     
  4. NahMateNoWay

    NahMateNoWay Member Full Member

    114
    198
    Jun 2, 2024
    AJ deserves to cash out and I don't blame him for waiting for the right fight/circumstances.
    He knows he's basically done at top level, and while that doesn't rule him out of picking up another belt or beating serious contenders he hasn't got another run at the top in him.
     
    Philosopher and Kiwi Fish like this.
  5. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,968
    5,588
    Nov 24, 2019
    Joshua expected an easy path and a fight with someone from the top, he wasn't given that, so now he doesn't want to fight at all, his career is over...
     
    bolo specialist and Ice8Cold like this.
  6. Overhand94

    Overhand94 Active Member Full Member

    753
    1,022
    Jun 23, 2024
    I was quite supportive of Joshua recently but I agree with most of his detractors, he seems to be done at the high level.
    Very disappointing end of career.
     
  7. KO_King

    KO_King Horizontal Heavyweight Full Member

    714
    1,520
    Apr 16, 2023
    Agreed he's pretty much at the end. I am surprised he hasn't been out yet or at least got a fight scheduled, injury not withstanding, as he's spoken publicly about his career winding down.
    Perhaps he is waiting for 'the right' opponent to surface. But I honestly don't think it will be Fury. Fury' s not really got the track record of facing necessary opposition - and I never thought he would start now
     
    Overhand94 likes this.
  8. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,201
    8,323
    Jul 30, 2012
    Joshua's elbow injury would have healed up months ago. That's not the reason he hasn't fought yet. It is nearly 12 months since his last fight and he hasn't even got one lined up.
     
    KO_King and Overhand94 like this.
  9. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,185
    6,316
    Feb 27, 2024
    He should just join Belly in the retirement.
     
    Reinhardt and Overhand94 like this.
  10. Max Thunder

    Max Thunder Proud member of the Cult of Vikings Full Member

    6,996
    11,631
    Apr 25, 2017
    It's part of the journey, just staying humble. Maybe a tune up in Jan-Feb and then try again to make the Paul fight for 150 million.
     
  11. Mickc

    Mickc Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,427
    2,583
    Nov 28, 2015
    I hope Fury never gives Hearn the last roll of the dice huge payday he always expected and agrees to the Joshua fight! The brutal loss to Dubois does seem’s to have done more mental damage to Joshua than any actual physical damage,believe me Hearn and dazn would have had Joshua out at least two to three times since the Dubois loss if they had it there way .
     
    bolo specialist likes this.
  12. Mickc

    Mickc Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,427
    2,583
    Nov 28, 2015
    What do you mean by necessary opposition ? Thanks for your reply .
     
  13. Kiwi Fish

    Kiwi Fish Active Member Full Member

    847
    1,375
    Dec 13, 2024
    After the Dubois loss Hearn said several times that Joshua only has one or two fights left at most. And that there isn't going to be a rebuild like post Usyk.

    Joshua is only going to come back for Fury or Usyk. Maybe against someone else if Usyk drops the belts, he could get a title shot agaisnt a lighter touch.

    Say Chisora, as top ranked with the IBF, gets lucky and gets a shot at the vacant i can see Joshua swooping in and taking that fight. Or he might fancy his chances in a Parker rematch for the WBO.
     
  14. vargasfan1985

    vargasfan1985 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    17,109
    4,603
    Mar 8, 2008
    Didn’t even know he was still fighting
     
    bolo specialist likes this.
  15. Badbot

    Badbot You can just do things. Full Member

    47,105
    35,370
    Apr 17, 2011
    Bit of a shame really. He did fill some of the void after Fury´s initial retirement.
    But, eh... Dubois was his last roll of the dice and it went horribly. Now hes coming off of a brutal KO, and at the age of 36 he is far past his prime.
    Joshua should go for a tuneup and then the Wilder fight, followed by retirement.

    Years ago I predicted that Joshua would regain his status as the top man in the division due to the age of his peers, but that Dubois KO killed that prediction.