Anthony Joshua Gives Fresh Hints On His Next Fight

Anthony Joshua, the two-time heavyweight champion, has changed his mind about not fighting again until December of this year.

He has instead hinted at a possible comeback to the ring this summer.

Joshua, 33, returned to winning ways in early April, overwhelming Jermaine Franklin in a points victory at the O2 Arena.

Remember that Joshua had lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine, leaving the door open for possible megafights with Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, or Joe Joyce.

Fans were perplexed one week after Joshua defeated Franklin when he stated on social media that his next excursion would not be for another eight months.

“Not ideal, but everything is part of a bigger picture,” Joshua wrote on Instagram.

That announcement was quickly followed by shocking reports claiming that Saudi Arabian officials are now planning a historic night of boxing in which Joshua vs. Wilder and Fury vs. Usyk would fight on the same card at the end of this year, with the winners going on to face each other in 2024.

However, Joshua has since stated that he may return to the ring in "July or August" if both he and his new coach, Derrick James, agree it is the best decision.

“I thought as I have changed maybe three coaches in three years, it would be good to develop and work under the guidance of my new coach and by the time I am back in the ring, I have cemented and implemented everything he wants,” the British boxer told Sky Sports.

“But the only way we are going to put everything he is teaching me to the test is through fighting.

“So rather than putting pressure on myself, and I don’t want to lie to the fans at the time, I am fighting this date when there is still conversations, I just wanted to draw a line in the sand and say I am not fighting until this date.

“If I, my coach, decide to change my mind… I feel I am able to change my mind, right? So I am able to fight in July or August if I want, but right now, it is off the table, but we are subject to chance providing my coach is happy with what he sees.”