British promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will not return to the ring until at least May 2025, ruling out a planned rematch with Daniel Dubois in February. Joshua, who suffered a fifth-round knockout by Dubois at Wembley in September, was originally hoping for a quick turnaround. However, Hearn revealed that Joshua’s physical condition, while not involving any major injuries, required more time to heal.
Hearn explained that Joshua had sustained some minor injuries during his camp and after the fight, making it impossible for him to start training for a February bout. The promoter emphasized the need for Joshua to return to 100% physical and mental condition before stepping into the ring again.
Despite the setback, Hearn assured that there was no long-term damage, only wear and tear typical for a heavyweight boxer. Joshua remains determined to fight Dubois again but has been advised to wait until he is fully prepared for such a crucial match.
In the meantime, a potential super-fight with Tyson Fury, who is set to face Oleksandr Usyk in December, remains a future possibility.
