Anthony Joshua’s 17-month absence and the search for a top-15 opponent in early 2026

Promoter Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua will fight a heavyweight in the “Top 15 World Rankings” for his setup in “early 2026”. Hearn states that he is not interested in a Jake Paul battle after he chose to face the lightweight Gevonta Davis in an exhibition match on November 14, 2025.

Joshua (28-4, 25 CO’s) turns on October 15, 36, and he will have been out of the ring for 16 to 17 months when he fights in January or February 2026. AJ comes from the elbow operation. The voting battle that could have happened against Paul this year fell apart when the popular YouTuber Turned Boxer chose to fight Tank Davis.

Joshua’s new road

“We are not interested in the Jake Paul battle afterwards,” said Eddie Hearn, promoter of the match room. Box news When asked about Anthony Joshua’s plans for his next battle.

Hearn’s remark about him is no longer interested in a fight between Joshua and Paul reflects retired former world champion Carl Froch’s remark about his comments YouTube channel That AJ and Eddie were “rushed” by Jake.

What Froch means is that he believes Paul “played a blind” by being in conversation with Hearn for a Joshua fight, but then signed Germavis on November 14, 2025 to fight. In other words, Froch believes that Jake used the interest in a potential struggle with Joshua while negotiating for the match against Tank Davis.

Navigation of the rankings

“For us, the plan was always to run a return battle, and that’s still the plan. It’s going to be Someone from the top 15 world rankings, ” Hearn said about the next clash of AJ. “He is (Joshua) training, and he will be ready to go, probably now in early 2026. We have not discussed any opponents yet, but we will certainly want the comeback before next summer. Hopefully it’s against Tyson Fury, but we’ll have to see. ‘

There are not many safe choices from the top 15 for Joshua to fight in a tune-up. Many of them are powerful, hungry and pose a threat to Joshua.

The danger of top 15

Danger of the lower -seeded fighters in the upper level:

• Bakhodir Yalolov
• Richard Torrez Jr.
• Philip Hrgovic
• Deontay wilder
• Sprinkle
• Murat gas

“Strong rumors come from North London that Joshua, the former United Heavyweight World Champion, is not facing Tony Yoka and Paul or Fury non-following … Will the battle be the mood he needs?” the author Nick Parkinson told ESPN about a possible next opponent for Joshua in early 2026.