By Olayinka Fijana
Anthony Joshua may be forced to undergo surgery, casting doubt on the timing of a highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury. The former unified heavyweight champion is reportedly dealing with a lingering injury that requires medical attention before he can commit to any future bouts.
While Joshua has been eyeing a return to the top of the heavyweight division, including a mega-fight against WBC titleholder Fury, his team has now indicated that surgery may be necessary to address an issue that has affected his recent performances. Although the exact nature of the injury hasn’t been officially confirmed, sources close to the fighter suggest it’s not career-threatening, but still serious enough to warrant intervention.
The setback comes at a crucial time in the heavyweight landscape. With Fury’s camp also navigating uncertainty following his split-decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk and ongoing talks of a rematch, any delay on Joshua’s part could push a potential showdown even further down the line.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see the long-discussed Fury vs. Joshua bout finally materialize—a fight that has eluded the boxing world due to contractual disputes, injuries, and promotional hurdles over the past several years. However, Joshua’s health now becomes the latest obstacle.
Assuming a successful recovery, Joshua could still re-enter the ring by late 2025. Whether his next opponent will be Fury, or if he’ll opt for a tune-up fight first, remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the boxing world waits, hoping that one of the biggest all-British showdowns in history hasn’t slipped further out of reach.
