Anthony Joshua’s Next Opponent ‘Confirmed’ And it’s Not Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua’s next opponent has been ‘confirmed’ and a ‘deal’ is supposedly in place for a big fight next year.

Joshua hasn’t fought since his crushing knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last year.

But a comeback is in the works, having undergone surgery on his elbow in May to correct an injury that had sidelined him from training.

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A bout in Africa has been mooted, with Nigeria and Ghana rumoured as countries to host a mega event, ahead of a potential all-British battle against Tyson Fury, who is expected to return to action next year.

A proposed clash against Fury would likely take place in the summer, paving the way for a tune-up at the start of 2026.

Several names have been linked with a fight against Joshua, including Martin Bakole and Tony Yoka.

Anthony Joshua is set to return next year. Image: Getty

But, according to Arslanbek Makhmudov, he has a ‘deal’ in place to fight Joshua next year, having beaten Dave Allen on Saturday.

Makhmudov beat Allen by unanimous decision in Sheffield to seemingly punch his ticket for a meeting against ‘AJ’.

Speaking after his hard-fought win, where he had two points deducted for holding, the towering Russian contender confirmed a fight with Joshua following talks on social media.

“I already have a deal with him,” he told Boxing News. “We spoke with him in Instagram. He said, ‘Okay go fight with Dave Allen and [we] fight next year’. He confirmed. Now it’s his turn.”

Makhmudov has won 21 of his 23 professional matches and is on a two-fight winning streak following his defeat to Guido Vianello last year.

Arslanbek Makhmudov beat Dave Allen on Saturday and claims a fight against Anthony Joshua is next. Image: Getty

What has Eddie Hearn said about Anthony Joshua?

Hearn has remained tight-lipped on who Joshua will return against, but he insists his client is hellbent on facing Fury.

A fight between Fury and Joshua could break all records in the UK given the profile of each men and their long-standing rivalry.

“It’s exactly what everybody wanted to hear,” Hearn said of Fury’s expected return to the ring. “The thing that AJ wants more than anything, is to fight Tyson Fury.

“That is the biggest fight in the sport… I’m hopeful.”

He added: “The only thing that is close to that level [for Joshua] is to win the world heavyweight championship again, which is a big motivation for him.”

Like Joshua, Fury also hasn’t fought this year. The ‘Gypsy King’ suffered a points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last year.

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Tyson Fury’s Astronomical Pay ‘Revealed’ as Date Confirmed for Super-Fight

The legendary British heavyweight may return to the ring

Tyson Fury’s astronomical pay has been ‘revealed’ as a date is confirmed for a super-fight.

The 37-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest British heavyweight boxers in history.

Back in 2015, Fury famously defeated Wladimir Klitschko, ending the Ukrainian’s 10 year reign as heavyweight champion. He went on to beat Deontay Wilder three times, but he was unable to overcome Oleksandr Usyk, losing to the Ukrainian on two occasions, most recently in 2024.

After that defeat, Fury retired from boxing. But promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that the ‘Gypsy King’ is set to return to the ring next year.

He told DAZN News: “I spoke to him last week; he said that he’s going to come back and fight next year. He wants to do it. He’s had a very busy year this year. He’s obviously not had a fight this year, but as we’ve all seen, he’s had his documentary.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Image: Richard Pelham / Stringer via Getty

“He’s been filming with Netflix for his At Home with the Furys series. He’s also got another documentary that he’s finishing off, plus other things. he wants.

“I mean, he’s told me categorically he wants to fight next year. So, we’ll sit down and see.”

The announcement has sparked speculation over who Fury will face next. Promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed that Turki Alalshikh wants Fury to fight Anthony Joshua.

Although the pair have never faced each other, there were rumours that they could meet at Wembley last year.

Hearn has suggested the clash could be a £200 million super-fight, describing it as the biggest fight in boxing” and admitting he would “kick himself” if it never happened.

The Matchroom chief recently flew out to meet Alalshikh, who is trying to make the all-British fight happen.

Anthony Joshua. Image: Dave Benett / Contributor via Getty

Hearn said: “He wants to make AJ against Fury, that’s no secret. He wants to make the biggest fights in the sport and that is the biggest fight in boxing right now.

“We’ve got to agree our end and then it’s up to Turki whether he can get Fury in the ring.”

Like Fury, Joshua also lost his last fight, falling short in September 2024 to Daniel Dubois at Wembley.

There has been speculation that Joshua could return at the start of next year, possibly fighting in Nigeria, but Hearn is focused on a showdown with Fury.

He continued: “The best thing about these situations now is that it’s not me speaking to Frank Warren or Spencer Brown or Tyson Fury trying to do a deal.

“We just have to do our deal and if Turki can make the fight then it’s on. If he can’t, it’s not on. We are focussing on that side.

“We have a plan for AJ to get him back in the ring as soon as possible and then lead up to a huge fight against Tyson Fury in 2026.

“We will do our deal with Turki and he will try and do his deal with Tyson Fury. Fingers crossed we can make it happen.”