Anthony Joshua picks shock next fight location as | Boxing News

Anthony Joshua is considering a bout in Africa, with his crew flying to Ghana to explore potentialities.

The British heavyweight’s representatives travelled to Accra this week to examine potential venues and focus on the chance of internet hosting a fight there. However, this is just one of a number of choices being thought-about by the Watford warrior, who is also in discussions with YouTube sensation Jake Paul.

Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, is on the street to recovery following a stunning knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois last September. The boxer, whose dad and mom hail from Nigeria, has long harboured a need to convey high-profile boxing to Africa.

Frank Smith, CEO of Matchroom Boxing, and Joshua’s supervisor Freddie Cunningham visited the Accra Sports Stadium, which might accommodate 40,000 spectators, on Tuesday.

Tony Yoka, who controversially defeated Joe Joyce to win gold at Rio 2016, has been urged as a potential opponent if Joshua decides to fight in Africa. Martin Bakole, initially from the Democratic Republic of Congo but now based in Scotland, is another potential adversary.

Frenchman Yoka just lately signed with Queensberry Promotions and is set to make his debut with them in the approaching weeks.

However, he could be eager to be Joshua’s next opponent and might be prepared to fight late in 2025 or next yr. The newfound friendship between Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn means that politics will not pose an issue.

Joshua is contemplating all his choices. A bout with boxing novice and social media sensation Paul might be a profitable alternative, despite it posing little to no problem.

Former world super-middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Andre Ward challenged him to a fight earlier this week.

Despite retiring in 2017 and never having boxed at heavyweight, Ward’s problem was met with a optimistic response from Joshua on social media, although it appears unlikely at this stage.

Joshua, aged 35, is making ready for a match early in 2026 as he recovers from elbow surgical procedure. He underwent the process in May and had initially hoped to return to the ring in December, but 2026 now seems more possible.

Joshua still harbours hopes of taking on Tyson Fury next yr, but is awaiting affirmation if the Gypsy King will come out of retirement to step back into the ring.

Fury has not fought since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last December and is also eyeing a third bout with the Ukrainian.

Joshua also has two losses against Usyk on his file, but he’s aiming for a strong end to his profession before hanging up his gloves next yr.