Overview

• Joshua’s promoter says the return is planned for January or early February 2026 after more than a year out.
• The comeback opponent will be a ranked top-15 heavyweight, with Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois explicitly ruled out.
• Hearn warns that a loss now would derail plans for a major bout next summer that he hopes features Fury.
• The potential Fury showdown remains conditional on Fury choosing to box again, with both expected to take separate fights first according to Hearn.
• Reports note prior talks about Jake Paul, who does not meet the top-15 requirement, while media speculation highlights Jarrell Miller, Efe Ajagba, Martin Bakole, Derek Chisora and Jared Anderson as possible options.