Anthony Joshua will return to the ring in February 2026, Eddie Hearn has revealed, as Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh looks to orchestrate a meeting with Tyson Fury.
Former world heavyweight champion Joshua has not fought since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024, and reports emerged this week that he was in talks to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul before the turn of the year.
Hearn has admitted that Joshua will need a warm-up bout before getting in the ring with Tyson, but said the Paul fight is not yet confirmed.
“He (Joshua) has been out of the ring for nearly a year and a half,” Hearn told BBC radio. “If he receives several tens of millions to (end his wait to fight) and we get a chance to silence this guy that's annoyed the boxing community for a long time, then maybe. Maybe. A lot of work to do.”
“(The Paul fight is) definitely not agreed yet. We want the real stuff but we want the business as well.”
Turki Alalshikh could prove pivotal to organising Joshua’s long-awaited bout with Fury.
"Next year, we will fight in February and then we will fight Tyson Fury if Turki Alalshikh delivers on his plans and strategies," Hearn later told talkSPORT.
"We spoke with him in London this week. Everything that we do with Anthony Joshua will be in accordance with and under the guidance of Turki Alalshikh.
“He has given us amazing opportunities. And the game plan will be put together with him.
"It's Turki Alalshikh's responsibility to talk to Tyson Fury and try and make the deal. I can't tell you we're fighting Tyson Fury.
"What I can tell you is Turki Alalshikh has told us, 'I am going to make AJ v Tyson Fury. This is your deal. Do you accept?'
"We have accepted. Is the fight made? No, because I don't know where he's at with Tyson Fury. All I know is he's yet to fail in delivering a fight."
