Joshua's comeback fight could break 10-year streak

Two-time heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, could be set to fight on the undercard for the first time in a decade, reports www.mirror.co.uk.

'AJ' has not stepped into the ring since his fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, witnessed by over 95,000 fans in September 2024. 

Joshua is expected to make a comeback in the coming months after recovering from elbow surgery, which has kept him out of action for most of 2025.

However, there's a slim possibility that his return could happen before the year ends, according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn. In a recent interview on Sportico and The Boxing Mob, Hearn unveiled Matchroom's schedule for the remainder of 2025, featuring trips to Australia, Monaco, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and Africa just before Christmas, reports All Out Fighting.

In a new update from the Matchroom boss, Hearn disclosed that Joshua might feature on the undercard of a potential end-of-year event. If this happens, it would mark the British boxer's first appearance lower down an event for the first time in 10 years - when he knocked out Kevin Johnson on the undercard of Kell Brook vs Frankie Gavin.

In a chat with IFL TV, Hearn revealed: "All I'm saying is, if he (Anthony Joshua) fights this year, it will just be a 'run out' fight. Because, coming back and fighting in a big arena, in a tough fight after being out for a year and a half, it's not easy." He further added: "And it ain't about the money [in] this fight this year. It's 50/50 if he fights this year, but if he does, he'll be added to a card. He won't be headlining."

As Joshua prepares for his much-awaited comeback, he has already been challenged by numerous heavyweight stars. Arslanbek Makhmudov stated that he will be Joshua's next opponent following his victory over Dave Allen. "I already have a deal with him. We spoke with him on Instagram. He said, 'Okay go fight with Dave Allen and [we] fight next year. He confirmed. Now, it's his turn. I'm going to go for win like this night. I go for win, try to win [and] to make a good fight. I'm a boxer. What am I gonna do? I'm gonna box," he declared.

However, Matchroom's CEO Frank Smith has dampened those expectations, stating: "Not necessarily front runner. Look, we'll be working with Arslanbek moving forward on what's next, and we'll work hard to deliver big opportunities. He deserves big opportunities.

"But I have said time and time again that it is a fickle sport that we are in. He loses to Agit Kabayel, and people say 'oh, he's finished'. Kabayel is in the top five of the heavyweight division, so we'll be working on that. [But] not necessarily the front runner for Anthony Joshua. AJ is on his own path of what he's going to do. I know he [Makhmudov] wants Anthony Joshua, but we all want a lot of things."

Just hours following Makhmudov's victory over Allen, Guido Vianello threw his hat into the ring to face Joshua next year after his knockout win against Alexis Barriere. "Now I want a big name," said Vianello. 

"You want to know what big name I want? Anthony Joshua. I want Anthony Joshua. I want him in front of me. Let's fight in Rome, in The Coliseum, in London – whatever you want. But give me a big name, please. I'm 31, I don't have extra time, I want to win now."

Joshua is anticipated to take on a lesser opponent for his comeback bout in order to secure some vital rounds under his belt before potentially pursuing a blockbuster clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury next summer.