AFCON 2025
Former two-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has announced he will undergo elbow surgery later this month, sidelining him from training for six to eight weeks.
The 35-year-old boxer revealed the news during an interview with DAZN at the Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I’m trying to get my body right,” Joshua stated. “I’ve got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow—a small surgery sometime in May. That will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I’ll be back.”
Joshua has been out of action since September 2024, when he suffered a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
The defeat marked his second stoppage loss and disrupted a four-fight winning streak following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
The elbow injury has reportedly hindered Joshua’s ability to train effectively, particularly affecting his punching. Promoter Eddie Hearn had initially aimed for a return bout in June or July, but the surgery has pushed any potential comeback to later in the year.
Speculation continues about Joshua’s next opponent upon his return. A highly anticipated matchup with Tyson Fury remains a possibility, especially as Fury has hinted at a comeback after his January retirement.
However, with Fury’s future plans uncertain and Joshua’s recovery timeline extending into late summer, fans may have to wait until the end of 2025 or early 2026 for this potential showdown.
