Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight Confirmed: Date, Opponent & Streaming Details Revealed

Anthony Joshua’s roadmap back to the heavyweight summit is coming into focus after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that the former unified champion is being lined up for a February-to-March 2026 comeback bout, to be followed by the long-awaited mega-fight with Tyson Fury later in the year. Joshua, 36, has kept a low profile since December’s knockout of Jake Paul but was forced into a pause after surviving a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed two close friends. The Briton escaped with minor injuries yet has remained in mourning, prompting Fury to announce that, should Joshua be unavailable, he will instead pursue newly elevated WBO champion Fabio Wardley for a title shot. Matchroom Boxing’s schedule, however, suggests Joshua still intends to box in the spring. Hearn confirmed talks with Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh for a Riyadh showcase and floated kick-boxing superstar Rico Verhoeven as one of several “carefully selected top-15” opponents being considered for Joshua’s ring return. The bout would serve as a tune-up before negotiations resume for Fury-Joshua, the all-British showdown that has eluded fans for years. Joshua’s new training partnership with Ukrainian tactician Egor Holub—who also guides unified king Oleksandr Usyk—remains in place, with camp dates pencilled for early January. Insiders insist the Olympian’s elbow, repaired by surgery last year, is fully healed, and his six-round stoppage of Paul showcased improved spite in his right hand. Commercially, Joshua’s brand is hotter than ever: Netflix reported an average-minute audience of 33 million for the Paul fight, topping the service’s charts in 45 countries. With global streaming leverage, a Saudi site fee rumoured to top $50 million, and Fury’s own comeback narrative, the heavyweight division appears headed for a record-breaking 2026. For Joshua, the immediate priority is finalising an opponent, clearing medical protocols after the crash, and reigniting the winning streak that began with his dramatic rebound from the Daniel Dubois knock-out. Should the timeline hold, expect official confirmation of a venue and foe before the end of January, propelling “AJ” back into the spotlight—and setting the stage for the richest fight in British boxing history.