EDDIE HEARN has revealed the timeline for Anthony Joshua’s return – as well as a two-fight plan for the former heavyweight champ.
The Watford warrior hasn’t fought since his spectacular September slaying at the hands of former sparring partner Daniel Dubois.
A rematch with Dubois was set to take place in February before AJ was convinced by his team to recover from niggling injuries.
And Team AJ are now targeting an early summer return, provided he resumes full training in January.
When asked when the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist will next fight, Hearn told iFL TV: “In May or June.
“He’s not in full training yet. He’s probably ready to resume training in January.”
A long-overdue domestic dust-up with Tyson Fury is also on the cards for Joshua following the Gypsy King’s second-straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk earlier this month.
But as much as he wants the Fury fight, Hearn insists a hasty decision won’t be made on AJ’s immediate future.
The Matchroom Boxing chief continued: “At the moment, you’ve got the Dubois fight [against Joseph Parker] on February 22nd.
“And you’ve got to see what Fury wants to do. We’re not in a terrible rush. AJ will fight twice in 2025.
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“Once in the summer and once in the winter.
“If we can’t make the Dubois fight and if Fury doesn’t want to fight, then you have to make the decision to fight somebody, or do you wait for those fights?
“I can’t speak on behalf of AJ, for who he’s prepared to fight.
“But what I know is the focus is Daniel Dubois or Tyson Fury.
“Of course, he’s [Joshua] done it all. If he gets Fury on his resume, he’s boxed virtually everybody of his era.”
SunSport exclusively revealed that Fury has decided NOT to retire following his second straight defeat to Usyk.
And Hearn believes all that’s left for the Wythenshawe warrior is a mammoth Wembley showdown with AJ.
“For me, Fury fights AJ, or I don’t know who else he’d want to fight, “he said. “There’s no demand for a third fight [with Usyk].
“His Excellency isn’t looking to make a third fight.
“We all know those two [Fury and AJ] come together, and it’s just a monster.
“I don’t think it’s a time to call it out, but common sense, hopefully, will prevail.
“We’re all getting on, we’re all talking.
“We all want to do great fights and do big business. So, hopefully, you’ll see that, and if not.
“If Dubois comes through Parker, we’d [Joshua] like the rematch.”
