Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is looking forward to the opportunity to face his long-time rival Tyson Fury in 2025, aiming to rebound from a challenging 2024 season.
During a visit to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, Anthony Joshua spoke with State House Correspondents about making the most of his remaining time in boxing.
“Time is of the essence,” Joshua emphasized. “I want to put in more work. Reflecting on 2024, I believe there’s more that I could have accomplished, and I’m excited to seize new opportunities in 2025.”
At 35 years old, Joshua, who has faced setbacks in three of his last seven fights—including a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September—remains focused on reclaiming his status in heavyweight boxing.
“I am committed to embracing every opportunity that comes my way and continuing my journey,” he stated. “Life has its ups and downs; it’s about learning to navigate those turbulent times and moving forward.”
When asked about a potential matchup with Fury, Joshua approached the subject with optimism while acknowledging the uncertainties. “We’ll see—let’s get in the ring. The future holds many possibilities, and I am open to what lies ahead,” he said.
Despite facing challenges in 2024, Joshua’s year included significant moments, such as his impressive second-round knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March, which earned him the Knockout of the Year title from CBS Sports.
However, his fortunes took a turn when Dubois, who secured the IBF heavyweight title in June, managed to drop Joshua four times before achieving a fifth-round knockout at Wembley Stadium in September.
As he enters 2025, the British-Nigerian boxer finds himself in a new position of growth. A potential clash with Fury remains one of the most anticipated bouts in British boxing history, particularly as both fighters currently seek to reclaim their world titles following Fury’s consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, which allowed Usyk to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.
