British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua could retire from professional boxing in 2026, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn, who hinted that the former heavyweight champion may only have three more fights left in his career, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Speaking to DAZN and The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hearn suggested that the 34-year-old’s final chapter in boxing could involve a series of high-profile fights culminating in a retirement at the end of 2026.
“2026 will probably be his last year in the sport,” Hearn stated, outlining a potential path that includes two fights against Tyson Fury before bowing out.
“If I’m advising AJ, we’re back this year, we have two Tyson Fury fights, and what else is there to do? Maybe fight Daniel Dubois. But once AJ fights Tyson Fury, he’s kind of done it all.”
Hearn revealed that Joshua is preparing for a comeback bout later this year following elbow surgery in May.
The fight, likely to take place between October and December, would be his first since a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
“By the time he steps back into the ring, AJ will have been out for just over a year and he’ll be coming off surgery,” Hearn said.
“I don’t think Tyson Fury will be ready to fight around that time, so we’re looking at someone who can gear him up for a really big fight in 2026.”
While Hearn previously identified Dillian Whyte as the frontrunner for Joshua’s return opponent, plans have shifted, with Whyte now close to finalising a fight against rising British-Nigerian prospect Moses Itauma in Saudi Arabia.
This development has opened the door for other options, including American heavyweight Deontay Wilder and rising star Jared Anderson.
“Dillian Whyte was probably the frontrunner, to be honest with you. Now it looks like he’s going to fight Moses, so that was a curveball,” Hearn said.
Hearn did not rule out a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, who handed Joshua two of his four professional defeats, but acknowledged that prolonging his career indefinitely carries risks.
“You just keep going on and on,” he said.
“Now, if we get to next year and he’s still firing on all cylinders, then 2026 won’t be his last year. But for me, something feels right about coming back this year, beating Tyson Fury twice and then sailing off into the sunset.”
Joshua, a 2012 Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion, has fought 32 times as a professional, winning 28 and losing four. His most recent outing against Dubois brought an end to a four-fight winning streak and has forced him to reassess his path forward.
Meanwhile, Wilder, who is also seeking redemption after consecutive defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, is set to return on June 27 against Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas. A strong showing could renew interest in a long-awaited clash between him and Joshua.
“AJ-Wilder is a massive fight as well,” Hearn said.
“And I think because of the loss to Dubois, it makes the fight more palatable, especially if Wilder can come back with a good win.”
Though Tyson Fury has twice lost to Usyk and announced his retirement earlier this year, Hearn remains hopeful that the former WBC champion will return for a showdown with Joshua.
Joshua has yet to publicly confirm his retirement plans, but his promoter’s remarks suggest that the final countdown may have begun for one of British boxing’s most prominent figures.
