According to his promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua is scheduled to make a comeback very early in 2023. He will not fight again in 2022.
Following a second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine in August, Joshua and Hearn are preparing a strategy to return to the top of the heavyweight division.
The British-Nigerian first lost his unified titles to Usyk in September 2021, and despite making a more valiant effort in the rematch in Saudi Arabia 11 months later, he was unable to win them back.
A few weeks after that misstep, Joshua received an unexpected opportunity from local opponent Tyson Fury, who gave him the chance to compete for his WBC title in an anticipated all-British super fight in December.
However, negotiations between the two sides fell down earlier this month, leaving Joshua still looking for his next opponent while Fury is now scheduled to fight Derek Chisora.
Following his brutal knockout of Robert Helenius last weekend, Deontay Wilder has stated his intention to eventually take on the former unified champion.
While Hearn is enthusiastic about the Joshua vs. Wilder matchup, he says his fighter won’t fight again until the year is up.
Speaking with Fight Hub TV, “Joshua against Deontay Wilder may be the biggest fight in boxing because someone is knocking somebody out in that fight.”
“It’s one that you watch like that (with hands over eyes). Joshua will be back very early next year, and I want to see him get active.”
