- Eddie Hearn has set a timetable for Anthony Joshua’s return to competition
- Joshua was stopped in the fifth round of his clash against Daniel Dubois
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed when fans can expect to see the Brit back in the ring and it has implications for a possible rematch with Daniel Dubois.
After racking up four straight wins, Joshua entered his fight with Dubois in September as an overwhelming betting favorite.
The 35-year-old was given the opportunity to join an elite group of fighters who have held the heavyweight title on three separate occasions with the showdown held in front of a record crowd of 96,000 fans at Wembley.
However, it turned out to be a disastrous night for Joshua, who went down several times before being stopped for the second time in his professional career in the fifth round.
An immediate rematch was expected to take place and Saudi boss Turki Alalshikh revealed the proposed date was February 22, 2025.
Eddie Hearn (R) has revealed when fans can expect to see Anthony Joshua (L) back in the ring.
Joshua (left) was stopped in the fifth round of his clash against Daniel Dubois (right) in September.
Eddie Hearn took to Instagram to reveal when Joshua plans to return to the ring
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However, Hearn has claimed that is now ruled out, with Joshua still suffering from minor injuries.
On Instagram, Hearn revealed: “He’s had 5 fights in 18 months, he’ll be fine.” In summer.
Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, has already made it clear that his fighter will have to wait too long.
Speaking last week, Warren told BoxNation: ‘I don’t see it (the rematch with Joshua) happening next. We’re looking at a couple of things right now and we’ll make a decision.
“I was hoping we’d get it done pretty quickly, but we won’t. I was hoping we could get it done last week and then this week. Sometime next week we’ll be in a position where we can get something done. We’re talking to some other guys.
‘They told me he is injured. Whatever it is, if things are going to happen, they will happen. It’s taken me a while to feel like it’s not going to happen and unless I get a phone call saying it’s on then we’re going to have to make some decisions.
We’re in the Daniel Dubois business. He is the champion. He’s the guy I care about. (February 22) is when I want to get him out and he wants to get out.”
The IBF has also confirmed that Dubois can make an optional defense of his title against any of his ranked opponents before April 22.