AJ, 36, has been out of action for the past 13 months recovering from an elbow surgery after sustaining an injury in his September 2024 fight with Daniel Dubois, 28, and his promoter has said there is a decent chance Joshua might be fit enough to fight again before the end of the year.

Speaking with Ring Magazine, the Matchroom Boxing promoter, 46, said: “I think it’s probably 50-50 that he will fight again this year.

“Sometimes I mention these things and it goes crazy but when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense from a boxing point of view [for AJ to box on an undercard and not be the star of the show]. Not so much for a money or commercial point of view.

“But every time Joshua fights it’s a massive occasion, out in a big stadium somewhere. But if he goes on an undercard somewhere, it gives him the chance to get in the flow again and it would be very beneficial to his career.

“All we’re trying to do is get ourselves geared up for probably the last roll of the dice in his career and he’s got to be ready.”

Hearn added Joshua was currently training in the gym and would be ready to fight again at two weeks notice.

The promoter also said the next year would likely be the former unified heavyweight champion’s last chance in terms of getting big fights.

As for where Joshua could return to the ring in 2025, Hearn said AJ could appear in Riyadh on November 22, or in California on December 13 - which is being headed by Diego Pacheco, 24, vs Kevin Lele Sadjo, 35.

Even so, Hearn insisted Joshua would not be sharing the ring a big fighter, and would instead face someone “outside of the top 20” to allow him to “get in the flow again” and potentially prepare for a blockbuster bout with Tyson Fury, 37, in 2026.

The promoter said: “Just go on Boxrec, look at the heavyweight top 100, look outside the top 20, and Joshua’s opponent will be in there.”