After stepping away from boxing following a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his closest friends, his promoter has now said the former heavyweight champion is targeting a late-summer comeback.
Anthony Joshua, 36, was travelling in an SUV on a highway in Lagos on 29 December when it crashed into a stationary truck.
The collision claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
The tragedy halted plans for a proposed British mega-fight against Tyson Fury, 37, and forced Joshua to take time out from the sport.
His promoter Eddie Hearn, 46, has now indicated that a return this summer is possible, although no firm plans have been confirmed.
Speaking to Boxing Scene, Eddie said: “(Joshua was) due to fight in March, then fight Tyson Fury in August. That’s not happening anymore.
“He won’t be fighting Tyson Fury next.”
He added: “He’s going to come back late summer but physically he’s not in a position to return to camp. So I’m planning, but he’s just resting and preparing.”
Hearn continued: “We’ve really not had any solid plans to announce what’s next. I’m looking at options to get him in the ring in July time.
“But we’ll only know if that’s a real possibility when he returns to camp, which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks.”
Hearn also said: “I think there’s nothing more that he wants at the moment than to return to training camp because it’s where he loves to be.”
The promoter left the door open to a future bout with Tyson, though not immediately.
He said: “I think every fight’s dangerous coming off what he’s come off.”
Hearn added: “We’re open to the Tyson Fury fight but probably more likely for the end of the year or early 2027.”
Before the crash, Joshua had secured a high-profile victory over Jake Paul, 29, stopping the American YouTuber-turned-boxer in the sixth round in a bout broadcast on Netflix.
The fight reportedly earned him around £100 million and further elevated his global profile.
Since the accident, Joshua has attended the funerals of his tragic friends Sina and Latif and released an emotional video tribute.
He said: “Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose two great men, we lost people that we dearly care about and have been major players in all of our lives.”
Joshua added: “It’s tough. It’s really tough. I know what I feel and that’s what matters to me. I know what my duty is. They’re my brothers, they’re my friends, first and foremost.”
He also said: “I’ve lost people before. But I don’t think I’ve lost people like that. My left and my right… they were very important team members, very important friends and two of my brothers.
“My goal is to continue to help them achieve their goals.
“I’m going to do what’s right by them, I’m going to do what’s right by their family.”
