Eddie Hearn, the promoter of British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, says the 33-year-old will not make his return to the ring in 2022 and is instead set for a comeback very early in 2023.
Newsbreak.ng reports that Joshua and Hearn are plotting a route back to the top of the heavyweight division following a second straight defeat against Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk in August.
The Watford-born boxer first lost his unified titles to Usyk in September 2021, before failing to regain them despite making a more impressive attempt in the Saudi Arabia rematch 11 months later.
Just a few weeks after that shortcoming, Joshua was handed an opportunity by undefeated domestic rival Tyson Fury, who offered him the chance to fight for his WBC championship in December.
However, talks between the two camps broke down earlier in October.
Speaking on ‘AJ’s next fight, Hearn insists his fighter will not be in action this year.
“Joshua will be back very early next year (2023), and I want to see him get active,” he told Fight Hub TV.
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