Joshua targets Africa and Fury in 2026: Hearn’s plans for Boxing

Anthony Joshua Considers Fights in Africa Before Facing Tyson Fury

The renowned boxer Anthony Joshua is evaluating offers to fight in Ghana and Nigeria, prior to a possible mega fight against Tyson Fury in 2026. This has been revealed by Eddie Hearn, promoter of Matchroom. Joshua, who will turn 36 next week, hasn’t stepped into the ring since his technical knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Currently recovered from an elbow injury, Hearn anticipates that Joshua will fight again at the end of this year or the beginning of 2026. It is rumored that Martin Bakole and Deontay Wilder, former WBC heavyweight world champion, are the main candidates to be Joshua’s next opponent, after the longest period of inactivity of his professional career. Bakole, 33 years old and originally from Congo, could be an option for a fight in Nigeria. Wilder, 40 years old, had his second victory in six fights in June and is expected to fight in early 2026.

“Initially I thought not, but now it’s possible that AJ fights this year,” Hearn commented.

Eddie Hearn

Hearn also mentioned that he has received proposals from Africa, something that Joshua wants to finalize before his retirement. “We have received a proposal from Ghana, and now from Nigeria. I think it would be incredible for AJ to fight in Africa,” Hearn added. Joshua and Hearn’s priority is to secure the long-awaited fight against Fury, also a two-time world champion. Both pugilists have been in talks for the last five years without the fight materializing.

Hearn has been in talks with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, about the possibility of a fight between Joshua and Fury. “I’ve never heard him talk about anyone like he talks about Tyson Fury, not just with the desire to fight, but saying he’s eager to knock him out,” Hearn explained. “He really wants to fight him and wants to beat him. He is also paying attention to how the division is fragmenting with the belts, and he is also looking to stay active.” “When we fight Fury or whoever is in the big fight of 2026, we would like to gain some momentum, which is good news for the fans because he wants to fight, he wants to be active.” “I was in Riyadh last week with His Excellency and he has a plan that he wants to implement for AJ, which inevitably includes the fight with Tyson Fury. To be honest, I think Turki Alalshikh is probably the only one who can make the fight with Tyson Fury because they will both want a large amount of money and Turki has a reputation for making the biggest fights in the sport. And the biggest fight in the sport is Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury, without a doubt”. “We are ready. One of the great things about Turki is that he will deal individually with both parties. You make your deal with Turki and then you let him do the other side.”