There’s a fine line between ambition and obsession — and right now, Anthony Joshua is walking it.
His 2026 return feels less like a comeback and more like a test of identity. As I said earlier this week in this piece, if AJ’s coming back for one last run at a world title, I’ll be behind him all the way. But if it’s another cash grab — another showcase fight for the cameras — then I’m not interested. Boxing’s got enough of that already.
And before anyone mentions Jake Paul — please don’t. I’ve covered that circus to death, and I have zero interest in seeing it. That kind of fight does nothing for Joshua’s legacy and everything to damage it.
The Joshua Retirement Debate: Why Come Back Now?
So here’s the big question: why now?
The Joshua retirement debate has always been about motive. Is this a fighter searching for redemption, or a brand trying to stay relevant? Because the truth is, Joshua’s career doesn’t need another chapter — but maybe he does.
After the loss to Daniel Dubois, it was clear something deeper was missing. He looked unsure, almost disconnected. His body was there, but the spark — that quiet confidence we saw against Klitschko and Parker — just wasn’t. Maybe that’s what this comeback is about. Finding out whether that fire still burns.
Joshua’s a proud man. You can see it in the way he trains, in how he still carries himself like a champion. He’s not the type to fade into reality TV or exhibition fights. He’s built different. But if this comeback is serious, it has to mean something.
The State of the Heavyweight Division
The heavyweight division he’s coming back to isn’t the same one he left behind. Forget Tyson Fury — that ship’s sailed. That fight would just be another money-grab that means more for the accountants than for boxing fans.
What we’ve got now is a changing of the guard. Oleksandr Usyk’s dominance is fading as he edges towards retirement. Deontay Wilder’s time at the top is over. The new blood — fighters like Jared Anderson, Filip Hrgović, Arslanbek Makhmudov, and even Britain’s own Moses Itauma — are starting to reshape the landscape.
I’ve already looked at Itauma’s rise in this piece, and honestly, if Joshua’s serious about proving he still belongs at the top, a fight like that — a dangerous young contender with everything to gain — could be exactly what he needs. Not a tune-up. Not a gimmick. A real test.
If he wants to start a genuine comeback, he needs to go straight in against someone ranked in the top 15 — or at least a top domestic name on the rise. A win there would tell us everything we need to know about whether the fire’s still there.
Has He Still Got It?
Physically, probably yes. Joshua’s still in phenomenal shape. But boxing’s never just about muscles. It’s about timing, rhythm, instinct — the ability to stay calm when the plan falls apart.
That’s where the doubts creep in. Against Dubois, he looked tight, cautious, almost afraid to let his hands go. Maybe that was tactical discipline, or maybe it was fear of getting hit again. Either way, that version of AJ can’t beat the next generation.
The truth is, Joshua doesn’t need to be the knockout machine he once was. He just needs to rediscover belief. The version of him that beat Klitschko wasn’t perfect, but he fought with heart, not hesitation. If he can find that man again — the one who bit down on the gumshield and swung back — there’s still room for one last run.
What’s Driving Him?
If you strip away the money, the noise, and the media hype, I think Joshua’s comeback is about closure. He’s not chasing validation — he’s chasing peace.
He wants to know if he can still do it. And fair play to him for that. Most fighters can’t walk away without answering that question, and those who do often spend the rest of their lives wondering “what if.”
But it has to be done for the right reasons. Not out of fear of being forgotten, or pressure from promoters, or the lure of another payday.
Because this sport doesn’t forgive nostalgia.
Legacy vs Longevity
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stretch a career out — but longevity can’t come at the expense of legacy.
Joshua’s already earned his place in British boxing history: Olympic gold, unified world champion, packed stadiums across the country. But how he handles this next chapter will decide how he’s remembered.
If he comes back sharp, focused, and fearless — against real opponents, not YouTubers — then this could be the perfect ending. If not, it risks turning into another sad reminder of when the body’s willing but the spirit’s gone.
Final Word: A Hard Notice, Not a Farewell
If this comeback is Joshua’s hard notice — his way of saying, “I’ve still got something left” — then good. That’s the kind of honesty boxing needs. But if it’s just another round of PR spin, then it’s time to let go.
He’s got nothing left to prove. But maybe he’s still got something left to say.
Join the Debate
What do you think — can Joshua still hang with the top names in the division, or should he call it a day before the sport takes more than it gives back?
Join the Joshua retirement debate in the comments below, share your take, and check out more straight-talking opinion pieces over at CMBoxing.co.uk — where every punch still tells a story.