Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) said he expects to return to action in September – most likely in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In his past outing, Joshua made light work of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou by stopping him in two rounds.
The former unified world champion is in contention to fight the winner of Tyson Fury–Oleksandr Usyk or to challenge for the IBF title if and when it is made vacant.
“Around September is when I’ve been told – I was hoping for June,” Joshua said on “The Jonathan Ross Show.”
“I’ve got some time to go on dates now and mingle a little bit. I’m training at the minute. I’ve got two months before I get into training camp.
“No, [I don’t know the opponent], but I think what they’re saying is, ‘Be patient’, because you’ve got Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for all the belts. And then once that’s done, hopefully, I can kick down the door and get my opportunity.
“[Fury] is one of my rivals. This is someone I want to compete with one day.
“So everything he says [as an insult], I’ve got it all stored in the back of my memory, and when the fight happens, I’m going to use it as a lot of fuel.
“You take it personally and you meditate on it. You want to punish them for what they said about you.”
Joshua also revealed that he could fight for the final time in 2026.
“I’ve always said 35 – I’m 35 in October [2026],” he said. “I’m thinking another two years or so if my body holds out. I’ve set up certain businesses that I can transition into naturally, but they [businesses] don’t rely on me being at the forefront.”