Anthony Joshua outlines priority for first fight in 2025

The former world heavyweight champion has said that he is targeting a fight against Tyson Fury in 2025

Anthony Joshua has revealed that he is aiming to secure a fight against Tyson Fury in 2025.

The former world heavyweight champion was knocked out in the fifth round when he fought Daniel Dubois in September, but he does not appear to be close to retirement.

The 35-year-old has long been linked with a contest against Fury, and with the ‘Gypsy King’ losing to Oleksandr Usyk on points at the end of the last year, the long-awaited bout suddenly appears to make sense for both fighters.

“[In] 2025, I’m targeting Fury,” said Joshua, who spoke while on a visit to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

“[The loss to Dubois] makes me hungry, makes me want to work harder. Time is of the essence, time is limited, so I just want to put in more work.

“When I look back, I believe I could have done more in 2024. I have another chance in 2025 to do more and I am going to make sure I take every opportunity that comes my way.

“My life is up and down so I have to get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave. I can’t stop now. I have to keep going until I reach my destination.”

While Joshua could well be in line for a rematch against Dubois, much depends on the decisions of other fighters including Usyk and Dubois himself.

In the immediate aftermath of Usyk’s second win over Fury, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, said that Joshua v Fury is “definitely the only fight for Fury and other than the Dubois rematch, it’s obviously the only fight for AJ”.

At the end of last year, Hearn added that Joshua will be “ready to resume training in January”.

“At the moment, you’ve got the Dubois fight on 22 February, and you’ve got to see what Fury wants to do. We’re not in a terrible rush. AJ will fight twice in 2025. Once in the summer and once in the winter.

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“If we can’t make the Dubois fight and if Fury doesn’t want to fight, then you have to make the decision to fight somebody, or do you wait for those fights?

“I can’t speak on behalf of AJ, for who he’s prepared to fight. But what I know is the focus is Daniel Dubois or Tyson Fury. Of course, Joshua’s done it all. If he gets Fury on his resume, he’s boxed virtually everybody of his era.”