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Chisora, Bakole, Miller: Who could Anthony Joshua face in ‘carefully’ chosen comeback fight?

Anthony Joshua looks set to return to the ring in early 2026 over a year after his knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois, and recovering from a minor procedure on his elbow.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has revealed he will be “carefully” selecting a top 15 opponent for the former champion to build some momentum heading into a potential all-British super fight with Tyson Fury next summer.

Hearn told Sky Sports: “We’ve got to choose carefully for the next fight, and I think the best way in all of this is just to be honest and say the next fight will be a comeback fight to build into a roll of the dice next summer.

“We need a top-15 guy. It’s not going to be Fury, Usyk, Dubois, all of those top guys.”

If we aren’t going to see Joshua against any of the top heavyweights before next summer, who is available for him to dust off the cobwebs and reassert himself in boxing’s blue-riband division?

Jarrell Miller

Jarrell Miller is something of a ghost from Joshua’s past. He was supposed to make his grand US debut and defend his newly unified heavyweight titles against Miller in June 2019.

Joshua revealed a different side to himself in the build-up to this fight. Miller had clearly got under Joshua’s skin, and in an interview, he revealed he wanted to hurt Miller.

Joshua said: “Look at his face. I’m going to reconstruct his face and body.

“Every ounce of his spirit. I’m going to strip him of it.”

Miller ended up failing a drug test before the fight, and this opened the door for late replacement Andy Ruiz to pull off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history – derailing Joshua’s US debut and career.

Miller does not yet have his next opponent scheduled, and it could be the perfect fight for Joshua on his return.

There is plenty of history between the two to sell the fight and get Joshua fired up. Miller is also ranked in the top 10 with the WBA and is more than capable of giving Joshua the rounds he would need to regain his momentum.

Efe Ajagba

Efe Ajagba is coming off a draw with Martin Bakole that left fans disappointed as neither man put on their best performance, but many thought the Nigerian had done enough to get the win.

This has not hampered his world title hopes, however, as the IBF have ordered him and Frank Sanchez to fight in a final eliminator for the title currently held by Oleksandr Usyk.

There is no date for the fight as yet, but if it takes place before the end of the year, then there is more than enough time for Ajagba to recover and get ready for a fight with Joshua in February.

It could also work out nicely for Joshua if Ajagba becomes the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, and he cannot make the fight with Fury. In this case, a fight with Ajagba may get him right back into the title mix.

Martin Bakole

The formerly self-proclaimed most avoided man in the division, Bakole, is in something of a rut after suffering a second-round knockout defeat to Joseph Parker, followed by a fortunate draw with Ajagba earlier this year.

But Bakole now claims to be a changed man and has promised to return to the ring at a proper fighting weight, rather than nearly 300lbs.

If this is the case it would also be an enticing fight for Joshua to take. Similar to Miller, Bakole’s robust shape and slightly unorthodox style would be an interesting puzzle for Joshua to unlock. But his overall athleticism, speed and power should be too much for Bakole in the end.

His recent form would also be something that could draw Joshua in, as Bakole is a top 15 fighter with three of the four sanctioning bodies, but is on a downturn and could be ripe for the taking.

Bakole hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Joshua has Nigerian roots, opening up the possibility of the fight taking place in Africa, a scenario that has been on Joshua’s bucket list for some time.

Derek Chisora

Derek Chisora is enjoying a true Indian summer in his career after claiming two unlikely wins against Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin that have seen him shoot back into the conversation at the top of the division and become ranked second with the IBF.

After what was supposed to be part of Chisora’s farewell tour, he held up three photos of men he would like to challenge in his 50th and final fight (probably). The three men were Oleksandr Usyk, who credits Chisora as one of his hardest fights at heavyweight, Daniel Dubois and the man in question – Anthony Joshua.

The two have shared a long-standing friendship since Chisora saw Joshua walk through the doors of Finchley Amatuer Boxing club all those years ago and has affectionately referred to him as ‘little brother’.

For a time, a fight between them seemed to be more fantasy than reality – two men of different generations sharing a brief crossover. But now that Chisora has reignited a career of ups and downs, Joshua could have the honour of being the final man to share the ring with a legend of British Boxing.

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson, once believed to be the next American heavyweight hope, is in the midst of an important rebuild in his young career after suffering a knockout loss to Martin Bakole, which saw the Congolese man steal the limelight and leave him in the wilderness.

He has since come back and beaten Marios Kollias on points in February, but there has been no news on his next move.

It would be a surprise to see Anderson go from a low-level confidence-building fight like his last, straight into a fight with a former unified champion like Joshua, but if he can get out once more this year, a fight with Joshua could be a mutually beneficial proposition.

Although Joshua would be the heavy favourite heading into the fight, Anderson has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career thus far and would have more than enough to cause some issues for the Brit.

It could also be an opportunity for Anderson to earn back the title of the next heavyweight hope in the US and jump a few places in the queue for a world title shot.

Ivan Dychko has a huge opportunity later this month when he steps up against Jermaine Franklin on the Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford undercard.

The heavyweight contender has looked impressive since turning professional in 2017, but the time has now come for the Kazakh puncher to step up in class.

Dychko has 14 stoppages from his 15 wins, but in Franklin he is facing a tough operator who has never been stopped despite sharing the ring with elite operators.

In 2022, Franklin travelled to the U.K. where he was expected to boost Dillian Whyte’s confidence, but the American almost caused a big upset as he was beaten via majority decision .

Franklin’s efforts earned him a huge fight the following year when he went in with Anthony Joshua, but he was once again outpointed despite putting up a solid effort .

Franklin has responded with two wins since those setbacks, but Dychko is going into this contest expecting to make a big statement when the eyes of the world will be fixed on this huge event.

“I think that this is a new level for me. This is a big event in the world, and this is a big event for me,” said Dychko when speaking to The Ring .

“He has good experience, [and] he has some good skills. I am preparing for a good fight.

“It’s going to be an important fight in my career. It may be a hard fight, but emotionally, I’m calm, I’m relaxed. I don’t feel pressure. The fans will see beautiful boxing and a beautiful KO from me.“

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Anthony Joshua hopes to look good in his next outing before going for another big one.

Anthony Joshua is facing his latest career setback after being knocked out by Daniel Dubois last year. While Joshua has no immediate plans of retiring from the sport, and still has ambitions to conquer, his Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn emphasizes to Sky Sports the importance of them matching Joshua correctly in this next outing so they can try to make a big for him next summer.

“We’ve got to choose carefully for the next fight and I think the best way in all of this is just to be honest and say the next fight will be a comeback fight to build into a roll of the dice next summer,” Hearn said. “We want that to be against Tyson Fury. If it’s not, it’s going to be a massive fight.”

Hearn would admit that those plans to fight Fury are still largely up to what Fury will be willing to entertain by next summer, and while they will still aim for a top-15 kind of opponent for Joshua in the interim, they will not be looking at fighters nearing the top of that list, excluding names like Dubois, Usyk, Itauma and Parker as he says another loss for Joshua at this stage would be devastating.

If Joshua gets through his next scheduled fight with flying colors, the plan will be to throw him back in what Hearn says could be one last roll of the dice for Joshua, but believes opportunities for Joshua will be available as he expects Usyk’s undisputed hold on the world titles to soon fracture.

“I Take the Blame” – Amir Khan Ends Anthony Joshua Feud, Calls 2017 Affair Claim “Sad Mistake”

Nearly a decade after accusing Anthony Joshua of having an affair with his wife, former unified light-welterweight champion, Amir Khan has admitted he was wrong and has since reconciled with the two-time heavyweight champion.

The explosive allegations, made by Khan on social media in 2017, caused a bitter fallout with his wife

and dragged Joshua into the headlines. At the time, AJ denied the claims, posting:

“Bantz aside, I hope you guys can resolve your situation, or this is a hack as we have never even met!”

Khan, then embroiled in a public spat with Makhdoom, doubled down on the accusations, telling fans at the time:

“Everything you saw on social media today is real. Nothing’s been hacked. But yeah, what’s done is done. Everything I posted on social media today was true.”

The pair later reconciled, and Khan now concedes his comments were a mistake.

“I Take Full Blame” – Amir Khan on Drama with Anthony Joshua

Speaking to Covers, the 38-year-old reflected on his relationship with Joshua:

“We’re both professional people, and we just moved on. It was all just a mistake, and it was all just rubbish, really.

“There was nothing true there. And, yeah, at the end of day it was a bit silly that I threw him under the bus over a message which wasn’t really him.”

“He was just coming up in the ranks then as well and, really, it was a bit sad that I did that at the time.

“So, I take full blame for that little issue me and AJ. But the good thing about it was nothing was true and, obviously, me and him have made up and he came to my event in Ghana.”

“We spent some time together, we chilled together, and we speak to each other on the phone here and there, on WhatsApp, so, we have a very professional relationship now and we keep it good.”

Respect Between Champions

Khan revealed a heartfelt moment with Anthony Joshua in Dubai following AJ’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk:

“We have mutual friends, and the last time I sat with him in Dubai; it was after his loss against Usyk and out of the blue he just says: ‘Oh bro, one thing I want to say to you is you were an amazing fighter, Amir.’

“It was quite shocking hearing that coming from one of the heavyweight greats in AJ. He said, ‘I was watching one of your fights, I think against Judah, and bro, you boxed so well. He was a great fighter.’

“It’s nice to hear that from another champion, especially after we had issues. When another fighter of his calibre acknowledges your career, it goes a long way.”

“AJ Put Boxing Back on the Map” – Khan

Khan, who burst onto the global stage by winning Olympic silver in 2004, credits Joshua for carrying British boxing after his own career slowed:

“Definitely, yeah. We must respect each other at the end of the day because, look, what you’ve done for boxing is massive.”

“In 2004, boxing was lit up by me coming back from the Olympics and then after my career went down a little bit, AJ lifted it back up again in 2012.”

Joshua Plots Comeback Fight and Fury Showdown

Meanwhile, Joshua is preparing for a return to the ring later this year as he continues his bid to reclaim heavyweight glory.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed AJ will fight again in October, November, or December following elbow surgery:

“He is motivated. Physically feeling good now to return to camp and ready for one little last roll to this incredible career,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“Hopefully that involves a fight with Mr (Tyson) Fury. But first thing is first, AJ will return during that period this year and obviously he must win and that performance will tell us a lot about the future of Anthony Joshua.”

Joshua’s long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury could take place in 2026, a year Hearn has hinted could be AJ’s final in professional boxing.

Two Careers, Two Legends

Khan retired in 2022 with a 34-6 professional record and world titles in two weight classes, while Joshua remains one of Britain’s most iconic fighters, a two-time heavyweight champion, and Olympic gold medalist.

Who is Anthony Joshua? Meet Britain’s game-changing two-time heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua has been at the top of the British heavyweight boxing scene for over a decade now, and as he comes into the twilight of his career, he is aiming to become a three-time heavyweight champion.

Joshua is one of Britain’s biggest boxing stars, and alongside Tyson Fury, he has made a name for himself as one of the top attractions in world boxing.

His losses to Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk have been a slight setback for the former two-time champion, but he is looking to bounce back from his defeat and injury to fight as early as December.

While Jake Paul ‘mismatch’ talk will be over with for now, the fighter can focus on climbing back to the top of the heavyweight division one more time.

Here is everything you need to know about Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion and British star who changed the game in Britain.

How old is Anthony Joshua?

As of August 2025, Anthony Joshua was born on October 15th, 1989, making him 35 years old.

What is Anthony Joshua’s record?

28 wins
4 losses
0 draws
25 knockouts

What is Anthony Joshua’s height and reach?

Anthony Joshua stands at six feet and six inches, or 1.98m tall.

He has an 82-inch, or 208cm, reach.

What is Anthony Joshua’s full name?

Anthony Joshua’s full name is Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua.

What is Anthony Joshua’s weight?

Anthony Joshua weighed in at 252 pounds for his last fight against Daniel Dubois in Wembley Stadium (114.3kg).

What is Anthony Joshua’s net worth?

According to estimates by Forbes in 2024, Anthony Joshua is estimated to be worth $83 million (£62 million).

The estimates break down that Joshua has earned $75 million from boxing matches and $8 million (£6 million) from endorsements.

Who is Anthony Joshua’s promoter?

Anthony Joshua is promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, and they have been together since 2013.

What is 258 Management?

258 Management is the management company that manages Anthony Joshua, for whom he is also an Athlete Advisor.

They have signed talents such as Viddal Riley and many more fighters.

What titles has Anthony Joshua won?

The list of titles won by Anthony Joshua is as follows:

Anthony Joshua’s DAZN contract

Anthony Joshua signed an exclusivity deal with DAZN in 2022 following the conclusion of his contract with Sky Sports.

The deal was estimated to be worth around £100 million ($134 million) and will likely last until the end of his boxing career.

Anthony Joshua’s Olympic gold medal

Anthony Joshua won his Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games, which made him a massive superstar in the UK.

The British fighter beat Zhilei Zhang before dispatching Ivan Dychko in the semi-final to obtain his place in the Olympic final.

He faced and beat former champion Roberto Cammarelle on points to become an Olympic gold medallist.

Anthony Joshua’s X and Instagram accounts

Anthony Joshua’s Instagram page, @anthonyjoshua, features a mix of promotional advertisements with brands he endorses, training footage/photos, and general life updates.

His X account, @anthonyjoshua, posts very similar content but is usually just photos from training or attending events.

Who is Anthony Joshua’s coach?

Anthony Joshua’s current coach is Ben Davison, who trains him and future heavyweight star, Moses Itauma, in the Ben Davison Performance Centre in Essex.

Anthony Joshua has also worked with many coaches across his career, including Rob McCracken, Derrick James, Angel Fernandez, and Robert Garcia.

Anthony Joshua’s dream to fight in Africa may materialise sooner-rather-than-later as Matchroom maps multi-fight footprint across the continent

Anthony Joshua could finally realise his long-stated ambition to fight in Africa after Matchroom CEO Frank Smith flew to Ghana to hold exploratory meetings in Accra and open discussions over a broader, multi-event partnership designed to develop elite boxing across the region.

Smith travelled to Accra earlier this month to scope out potential venues and met with local promoters, including Legacy Sports, who staged Amir Khan‘s event in the country earlier this year.

Smith told Daily Mail Sport that the Accra Sports Stadium is currently being evaluated as a potential venue for AJ and other Matchroom fighters – claiming the infrastructure is already in place to deliver a major event.

Smith also explained how discussions have also extended beyond boxing, with Matchroom exploring concerts and cross-entertainment ventures to maximise the long-term impact of a partnership.

‘Hosting an AJ fight in Ghana is a very realistic opportunity if the Jake Paul fight doesn’t happen next,’ Smith told Daily Mail Sport. ‘We looked at stadium options and logistics. From what we’ve seen, we could pack out 50–60,000 including the pitch at Accra Sports Stadium.’

The Matchroom CEO went on to add: ‘This isn’t only about AJ. It’s about a long-term partnership to grow boxing in Ghana, Nigeria and across Africa – something that outlives his career.’

Ghana’s boxing scene has roared back into global view this summer. On June 13, 2025, Amir Khan co-promoted the ‘Battle of the Beasts’ card at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra alongside Legacy Rise Sports, drawing a high-energy crowd and widespread local coverage.

Though the venue was smaller than what Matchroom will be pushing for, the night drew an electric atmosphere, sparking renewed belief that Ghana could handle boxing at the highest level.

Khan has since doubled down on his African push. On October 1 he will take boxing to Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations in Lagos, co-promoting the DAZN-broadcast ‘Chaos in the Ring’ card with Balmoral Group Promotions.

While Smith insists no opponent has been identified for a AJ’s potential fight in Ghana, French heavyweight Tony Yoka has sought to insert himself into the frame.

In an interview with L’Equipe earlier this month, Yoka said a fight with Joshua on African soil was ’90 per cent done’ and that Matchroom were flying to Ghana to inspect facilities and secure a venue.

However, Smith dismissed those claims, stressing that Matchroom has not begun opponent discussions and insisted they are prioritising the logistics of an African fight night first.

Anthony Joshua

‘We haven’t really even looked at opponents,’ he said. ‘Taking AJ to Ghana is about putting on a huge event and a moment that lives on. He could fight anyone there and it’d be massive.’

For now, Joshua’s immediate focus appears to be elsewhere. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken openly about negotiations with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, and admitted there is a ‘very good chance’ the fight happens next.

Hearn has argued, controversially, that Joshua vs Paul could eclipse even a Tyson Fury fight in terms of global commercial appeal.

Smith echoed that sentiment, saying the Paul talks are currently ‘the focus’ for Joshua’s next bout. But with no venue holds, sanctioning body approvals or official broadcast announcements yet in place, the Ghana plan has emerged as a compelling alternative.

The timetable also points towards early 2026. Joshua underwent surgery earlier this year and, according to Smith, is unlikely to fight again before December. ‘Honestly, it would be a struggle this side of the year,’ he said. ‘Early part of next year is more realistic.’

Whether the Ghana moment comes next or after a detour against Jake Paul remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the wheels are now turning. With Ghana building momentum as a genuine fight hub and Nigeria entering the fray, Africa may deliver a spectacle worthy of the sport’s greatest nights.

Anthony Joshua is at a key moment in his boxing career, as serious talks continue about a possible fight with YouTuber Jake Paul. But promoter Frank Warren has warned that taking on the 28-year-old internet star could hurt Joshua’s reputation, especially when fans are still hoping for a big fight with Tyson Fury.

Joshua, 35, from Watford, won a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics and became world champion twice. However, he hasn’t had a major win since he beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their 2019 rematch.

He lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and was knocked out by Daniel Dubois last September. Now, instead of a top-level opponent, talks are moving fast for a fight with Jake Paul – a match many are calling a “circus.”

Frank Warren, the 73-year-old legendary boxing promoter, said Joshua’s career deserves better.

“He’s done brilliantly,” Warren told SunSport. “He should’ve won the amateur world championships, and he brought a lot of attention to boxing after winning gold at the Olympics. He’s had some great fights.”

Warren says the fight fans really want is an all-British heavyweight clash between Joshua and Tyson Fury – a fight that has been talked about for nearly 10 years.

“It’s the fight everyone’s wanted for years,” Warren said. “But who knows if it will ever happen.”

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has admitted that Joshua’s final fight could depend on whether Fury, 37, agrees to it. Fury has retired several times, made a Netflix series, and even renewed his wedding vows again.

Warren said Fury is still training regularly but the choice to return is entirely up to him.

“When I’ve spoken to him recently, he has mentioned fighting,” Warren said. “But I’m not going to push him – it’s his decision.”

“He goes to the gym often. It keeps him fit and helps his mental health, which is great.”

What are the obstacles that could hinder the fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua?

One of the possible 2026 fights that has caught the eye is the one that could be presented between the former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, who has been sought by YouTuber Jake Paul, who in 12 fights has attracted attention in the world of boxing. However, this fight faces some uncertainties despite “advanced” negotiations between both sides.

The long-awaited showdown between the Briton and the American has caught the attention of Turki Alalkashik, who has become the top boxing promoter today and is willing to support the holding of this fight. Eddie Hearn, representative and promoter of Anthony Joshua, and Nakisa Bidarian in the same way with Jake Paul have found significant obstacles, even when negotiations are going well.

The barriers that could prevent a fight between Joshua vs Paul

Eddie Hearn recently commented on the state of negotiations. “I would say we are very advanced in terms of money. It’s probably the word that those looking for positive news would use. I never expected this fight to take place, but honestly, the more conversations I have, the more I think there is a good chance it will happen,” said the boxing promoter.

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua

However, one of the key problems for the possible fight is sanctioning. According to Sky Sports News, there is no guarantee that the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) will approve the fight, especially if it is held in England or some of its territoriesWembley Stadium has been mooted as a possible venue for the eagerly awaited bout. But with the BBBofC refusing to sanction the fight, this episode of boxing will have to be postponed.

Eddie Hearn explained that for the fight to take place in the UK, they would need to apply for a special exemption from the Board, which adds uncertainty to the venue and logistics of the event. He therefore suggested that it is more likely that the fight will be held in the United States, where Jake Paul is a big draw. Paul has filled major stadiums such as the Honda Center in Anaheim and the Amalie Arena in Tampa. His previous fight with Mike Tyson attracted more than 72,000 spectators to AT&T Stadium.

Holding the fight in the United States would circumvent the regulatory hurdles imposed by the BBBofC, but could complicate logistics for Joshua and his team. However, this would be solved with the increase in purses and even in Las Vegas, Nevada, there would be a greater cash flow which will allow Joshua’s team to cover the travel, logistics and preparation expenses of the British boxer.

Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) won gold at the 2012 London Olympics, beating Roberto Cammarelle on countback. He subsequently turned professional with Matchroom Boxing, and a boxing phenomenon was born. AJ captivated the British public, who supported him from his debut win over Emanuele Leo through to beating Charles Martin to win the IBF heavyweight title. Many more memorable nights followed, but many are asking what’s left for Joshua in 2025 and beyond. Eddie Hearn has spoken to The Stomping Ground, revealing who is the favourite to fight AJ next.

Eddie Hearn Reveals Favourite for Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight

What’s Next for Anthony Joshua?

Joshua’s career quickly entered a new stratosphere, recording many eye-catching wins before winning his first world title. The do-or-die victory over Wladimir Klitschko will forever be remembered as one of the greatest nights in British Boxing.

On June 1, 2019, AJ, while riding high in the heavyweight division, suffered a stunning stoppage defeat against Andy Ruiz in Madison Square Garden. Following that defeat, AJ was written off by the masses before he gained revenge against Ruiz with a disciplined, unanimous decision win.

Talking to The Stomping Ground about Joshua’s future, Hearn said: “To be honest, the focus is still very much on the Jake Paul fight. Those talks continue in an amicable and exciting fashion with MVP, and I think that’s definitely the favourite to happen next, I really do.

Hearn Counts Out Yoka and Ward

“If not, we’d also love to do the event in Ghana. So yeah, Tony Yoka wise, I don’t know where all the momentum’s come from. I’m not ruling it out, but, you know, it’s definitely not anywhere near being done. Josh Dubin called me the other day, he’s like, ‘Dre (Andre Ward) wants to fight.’ I’m like, who? Which one do you mean? Yeah, I don’t know. I think Andre Ward called out Jake Paul a couple of years ago as well, so it’s great that everyone’s still calling AJ out. Yeah, I can’t see that being a fight, no,” Said Hearn discussing potential AJ opponents.

Anthony Joshua is exploring the possibility of staging his first professional fight in Africa, with Ghana emerging as a leading candidate, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigeria-British heavyweight’s representatives travelled to Accra this week to inspect venues, including the 40,000-capacity Accra Sports Stadium, and to hold talks about hosting a bout there, according to the Daily Star.

While a fight in Ghana is only one of several options under consideration, the Daily Star reports Joshua is also in discussions over a potential showdown with social media personality Jake Paul.

“Anthony Joshua is considering a fight in Africa as he mulls over his next boxing opponent – which could be against social media star Jake Paul,” the British tabloid reported.

“Joshua’s reps flew out to Accra this week to take a look at venues and hold talks about staging a fight there. But it is only one of a number of options on the table for the Watford warrior.”

Joshua, whose parents are Nigerian, has long expressed a desire to bring big-time boxing to Africa. The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist is rebuilding his career after a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September.

The Daily Star also confirmed that His management team, led by Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith and long-time adviser Freddie Cunningham, “held meetings in Ghana earlier this week as part of an exploratory visit”.

Potential opponents for an African bout include Frenchman Tony Yoka, who controversially beat Joe Joyce to win gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and Democratic Republic of Congo-born heavyweight Martin Bakole, who is based in Scotland.

Yoka, who has recently joined Queensberry Promotions, is reportedly eager to face Joshua and could be available late in 2025 or in 2026.

The reports add that a clash with Paul would be financially lucrative but “would offer little or no test” to the two-time world champion.

Another unexpected call-out came from retired former super-middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Andre Ward, although his lack of heavyweight experience makes such a bout improbable.

Joshua, 35, is targeting a return to the ring in early 2026 after undergoing elbow surgery in May.

While he had initially hoped to fight in December, recovery has pushed back those plans. He still harbours hopes of facing Tyson Fury next year, but that will depend on whether the WBC champion decides to end his retirement.