Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn believes Anthony Joshua would target a high-stakes rematch against Daniel Dubois to reclaim a heavyweight world title once his immediate obligations are met.
The 36-year-old British star is currently preparing for a return to the ring in July, which serves as a critical bridge toward a long-awaited massive domestic clash against Tyson Fury. While unified champion Oleksandr Usyk recently vacated several of his titles, the path back to the summit for Joshua appears to run through familiar rivals.
Matchroom chairman weighs redemption against Daniel Dubois
Confirming the strategic direction for late 2026, Hearn indicated that while he might personally seek a path of less resistance for his fighter, Joshua prefers the most challenging routes. A second meeting with Daniel Dubois remains a priority, specifically because Dubois stopped Joshua in the fifth round of their September 2024 encounter at Wembley Stadium.
This personal drive for redemption is expected to guide Joshua’s late-career ambitions as he seeks to become a three-time world champion.
The immediate focus, however, remains fixed on Saudi Arabia. Anthony Joshua will face Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026, in Riyadh. This bout is widely viewed as the final hurdle before the domestic mega-fight with Tyson Fury, which is currently earmarked for November.
If both men succeed in their upcoming summer appearances, the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua date will become the dominant narrative for the final quarter of the year.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is often pragmatic regarding the careers of his athletes, but he acknowledges that Joshua operates with a different mindset. Speaking with Seconds Out, Hearn noted that Daniel Dubois would likely be the preferred target for the former champion if a world title were on the line.
Key details
Despite the 2024 loss, Joshua remains highly ranked, maintaining a top-10 position with each of the major sanctioning bodies.
The vacuum left by Oleksandr Usyk vacating his WBC, IBF, and WBA belts has created multiple openings for the chasing pack. Hearn admitted his job is to find the “easiest” title shot, but stated that Joshua is “the boss” and will ultimately decide his own direction.
A win over Dubois would not only provide a third championship reign but would also silence critics following that fifth-round stoppage. Financial considerations ensure this remains a marquee option, provided Dubois successfully defends his WBO title in an upcoming rematch with Fabio Wardley.
This pursuit of legendary status is a core motivator for the aging heavyweights. At 36, Joshua is coming off a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in December 2025. This activity followed a difficult period that included a car crash in Nigeria, but the Matchroom champion has remained active to stay sharp for elite competition.
His current training camp even involves former rival Oleksandr Usyk, as he seeks the tactical edge necessary to navigate the current heavyweight minefield.
The Kristian Prenga hurdle and Tyson Fury negotiations
None of the grand designs for 2027 will matter if Joshua fails to overcome Kristian Prenga on July 25. The Albanian heavyweight brings a 20-1 record into the ring, with all 20 of his victories coming by way of knockout.
While Hearn expects Joshua to take care of business, he remains cautious about Prenga’s punching power. Hearn noted in April that at this level, every opponent is dangerous, even if Prenga has largely campaigned at a lower level than the elite Brit.
Tyson Fury is also expected to take a warm-up fight to shake off ring rust. Following a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, Fury has indicated he will likely return to action on August 1, 2026, in Dublin.
This August warm-up fight preparation is essential for the 37-year-old Fury as he looks toward the November meeting with Joshua. Should either man falter during these summer tests, the planned mega-fight could be jeopardized.
Key details
Negotiations between the rival camps are continuing to move forward. Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, has confirmed that a meeting is scheduled for the week of June 29, 2026, to finalize the exact venue and date for the November showdown.
Although the initial boxing match delayed by contract talks frustrated fans, the domestic contracts are now signed. While the current agreement specifies a UK venue, Hearn remains open to a US location if it proves more beneficial for the event.
Management strategies and the influence of Saudi Arabia
The geopolitical shift toward Riyadh continues to reshape the boxing calendar. By hosting the Joshua versus Prenga fight, Saudi Arabia cements its position as a primary hub for the sport’s biggest attractions. This financial backing allows Joshua to remain active on the global stage, integrated with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, and reduces reliance on the traditional stadium logistics of Great Britain.
The partnership with Riyadh Season has allowed Joshua to take calculated risks as he enters the twilight of his career. His win over Jake Paul in late 2025 was a departure from traditional heavyweight matchmaking, but it served its purpose by keeping him in the spotlight after his car accident earlier that year.
Hearn maintains that this activity is better than long absences from the ring, especially when preparing for a technical operator like Fury.
Looking ahead to the heavyweight championship picture
The heavyweight division is entering its most volatile era. With Usyk vacating belts, the winner of the Joshua and Fury clash will undoubtedly become the most powerful figure in the sport.
At that stage, Joshua’s path to a world title would be his to choose, with a Dubois rematch representing the ultimate vindication for his 2024 failure. This scenario hinges heavily on Dubois overcoming Fabio Wardley later this year.
Time is a factor for both British icons. At 36 and 37 years old, the urgency to finalize these rivalries is palpable. Hearn knows the window for these ideal matchups is narrowing.
The next five months will determine whether Anthony Joshua secures his legacy as a historic three-time champion or concludes his career as a veteran who could not quite reclaim the peak of the mountain one last time.
