Anthony Joshua Not Ready To Quit Boxing Yet

Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is reportedly considering extending his boxing career by another three years after re-evaluating his retirement plans following a difficult period in his personal life.

According to Ireporter Online, Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn revealed that Joshua, who was previously expected to retire after the 2026 season, has renewed his commitment to the sport and is now focused on competing for several more years.

The change in outlook comes after the British-Nigerian boxer was involved in a car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Although Joshua escaped with minor injuries, the tragedy prompted him to step away from boxing temporarily as he mourned before eventually returning to training.

Joshua made a successful comeback with a knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December. A planned bout against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, initially scheduled for February, was postponed due to the aftermath of the accident.

The 36-year-old is now preparing to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, while fellow British boxer Tyson Fury is set to take on Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Thailand a day earlier.

Should both Joshua and Fury emerge victorious, discussions are already underway for a long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown expected to take place in November.

Speaking on Joshua’s future, Barry Hearn said the former champion appears more determined than ever and believes the tragic experience has given him a fresh perspective on his career.

Hearn noted that while retirement had previously been discussed after only a few more fights, Joshua is now thinking about remaining active in the ring for the next three years. He added that the boxer is highly motivated and in a positive place mentally, while acknowledging that boxing remains an unpredictable sport where any fight can change everything.