The fighter, 34, has been out of action since his knockout defeat to 26-year-old Daniel Dubois in September and is recovering from elbow surgery in May.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said about Joshua’s next move: “Something feels right about coming back this year, beating Tyson Fury twice and then sailing off into the sunset.”
A Joshua comeback bout is being planned for between October and December, but his next opponent remains unconfirmed.
Dillian Whyte, 37, had been the preferred choice, but is now reportedly finalising a deal to fight rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma, 20, on 16 August in Saudi Arabia.
That development leaves Joshua’s team exploring other options, with 39-year-old Deontay Wilder emerging as a possible candidate for his next bout.
Wilder, who lost by knockout to Zhilei Zhang, 42, last summer and by decision to Joseph Parker, 33, in December 2023, is set to return to the ring on 27 June in Kansas against Tyrrell Herndon, 34, who holds a record of 24 wins and 5 losses.
Hearn added to DAZN: “Dillian Whyte was probably the frontrunner, to be honest with you. Now it looks like he’s going to fight Moses – so that was a curveball.
“Jared Anderson’s been mentioned, obviously Deontay Wilder’s back soon.
“I think AJ would have been out the ring just over a year by the time he steps back into the ring. He will be coming off surgery, I don’t think Tyson Fury’s going to be ready to fight around that time anyway.
“But I expect it to be someone to gear him up for a really big fight in 2026. And probably, 2026 will be his last year in the sport.”
Despite Wilder’s recent setbacks, Hearn suggested the long-discussed clash with Joshua remains on the table.
He said: “AJ–Wilder’s a massive fight as well and I think because of the loss to Dubois, it makes the fight more palatable. Especially if Wilder can come back with a good win.”
Tyson Fury, 36, has not fought since being beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk, 38, last year, and announced his retirement in January. Nevertheless, Hearn believes a two-fight series between Joshua and Fury remains possible.
He said: “It’s probably three fights away. For me, if I’m advising AJ, we’re back this year, we have two Tyson Fury fights, what else is there to do? Maybe fight a Daniel Dubois, but for me once AJ fights Tyson Fury, he’s kind of done it all.
“I’d love him to have another crack at Daniel Dubois and I’d love him to have another crack at Usyk but you just keep going on and on and on.
“Now, if we get to next year and he’s still firing on all cylinders then 2026 won’t be his last year.”
