Anthony Joshua has confirmed plans to return to the ring in December, following a period of recovery after undergoing elbow surgery this month, The PUNCH reports.
The two-time world heavyweight champion has been out of action since suffering a devastating fifth-round knockout against Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.
Speaking to ESPN Mexico, Joshua revealed he was prioritising physical rehabilitation before resuming full training later this year. The procedure is expected to keep him out of the gym for up to eight weeks, pushing his return to the final month of 2025 and extending his lay-off to over a year.
“I just want to get my body feeling good and then I’ll fight. It’s a simple job, ” the 35-year-old said.
“December, I will fight again, that’s when I want to fight again, I’ll take some time and I will go in December.”
While fans had hoped for a long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury, a winter return effectively rules out a stadium fight in the UK and may delay that showdown until 2026, unless it is staged in the Middle East.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn remains hopeful a fight with Fury can still be agreed in future, though Joshua has also hinted at other potential opponents including Martin Bakole, Agit Kabayel and Deontay Wilder, whose own comeback bout is scheduled for next month.
The British star acknowledged the need to elevate his performance if he is to reclaim world championship status, stating, “To be a champion you’ve got to be great. I was good in my last fight but not great.”
“Throughout the last year or so, especially my last fight I was good but not great. To be a champion you gotta be ‘on your s***’ basically and I need to step my game up,” he said.
