Anthony Joshua 2026 return talk is already dominating headlines, but it’s starting to feel like déjà vu. We’ve gone from “back later this year” to “early 2025” and now, according to his camp, he’s targeting spring 2026 after elbow surgery and rehab.
As someone who was there for his first ten fights live, I’ll be honest: I was a big AJ fan. But right now, the constant delays, the whispers of Jake Paul, and the lack of clarity on what he actually wants from the sport leave me questioning whether this comeback is about boxing… or just business.
Will It Be Fury vs Joshua At Last?
Let’s start with the big one. The fight British boxing fans have wanted for nearly a decade — Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. If Joshua really does step back in the ring in 2026, Fury will be pushing 38. It’s not impossible, but is it the blockbuster it once was?
For context, look at Fury’s most recent bouts and the way the heavyweight division has shifted since Joshua lost to Usyk. The timing for that mega-fight might have passed. Still, if both camps feel there’s enough money left on the table, stranger things have happened in boxing.
The Jake Paul Rumours
And then there’s Jake Paul. Reports suggest “rules have been agreed” for a potential clash between the YouTuber-turned-fighter and Joshua. Let’s be clear: if that happens, it’s not a fight — it’s an exhibition.
Paul has built a career out of blurring the lines between entertainment and sport, and you’ve got to give him credit for selling pay-per-views. But for Joshua, who once carried the flag for British and world boxing, this screams cash grab. It’s a circus fight, not a step back towards being heavyweight champion.
I said it before, and I’ll say it again: if AJ’s not serious about getting back to the top, why bother?
Risking His Legacy
Joshua was once the poster boy of boxing — the Olympic gold medallist, the unified heavyweight champion, the face on billboards. Now, every new announcement feels like a “cautionary tale” in the making.
Injuries, indecision, and a string of missed opportunities have dragged him from superstardom to uncertainty. A fight with Jake Paul won’t rebuild his legacy. In fact, it might only damage it further.
If he’s truly aiming for an Anthony Joshua 2026 return, the smart move would be to rebuild properly: take meaningful fights, show ambition, and prove he still belongs among the elite.
Where Does That Leave The Heavyweight Picture?
By spring 2026, the heavyweight division could look very different. Usyk might finally have retired, Fury may or may not still be around, and the likes of Moses Itauma will be climbing the ladder. Joshua returning in the middle of all that could either be a masterstroke — or a footnote.
I’ll always have respect for AJ, but I can’t shake the feeling that time is running out. A Jake Paul “fight” might sell, but it won’t matter. A Fury showdown would still mean something, but it’s fading fast.
What do you think — is Joshua’s 2026 return about legacy, or is it just about the money?
Share your thoughts in the comments and check out more heavyweight takes over at CMBoxing.co.uk.