Anthony Joshua kicked off his 2025 in Lagos, visiting the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu. When interviewed after the visit, AJ outlined his plans for 2025.
Anthony Joshua was coming off a devastating loss to Daniel Dubois, after being sent to the canvas four times, from the very first round to round five, where he was stopped in front of a record-breaking 90,000+ fans in Wembley. This was Joshua’s first attempt to become a three-time world heavyweight champion, following two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
After a somewhat questionable performance against Jermaine Franklin in April 2023, where the Brit outboxed the American but looked tentative doing so, many fans were left questioning if AJ still had it in him to fight at the top level.
Since that fight, however, AJ had proven he could still hang in the big leagues, with impressive performances against the likes of Otto Wallin, Francis Ngannou, and Robert Helenius. Though not top names, Joshua’s performances, and style under Ben Davison led many to believe he was destined to beat Dubois, though this, of course, did not come to pass.
Joshua’s Resurgence and the Dubois Upset
Anthony Joshua’s professional record stood at 28 wins and 3 losses (25 KOs) heading into the Daniel Dubois bout. His path to the Dubois fight saw him rebuild momentum after his two consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 and August 2022. Following the Franklin decision victory in April 2023, Joshua secured a seventh-round knockout against Robert Helenius in August 2023, a late replacement for Dillian Whyte. He then delivered a dominant performance in December 2023, stopping Otto Wallin via fifth-round TKO. This was followed by a blistering second-round knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March 2024, a fight where Joshua dropped Ngannou three times.
The highly anticipated clash with Daniel Dubois took place on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London, for the IBF World Heavyweight championship. Dubois, with a pre-fight record of 21 wins and 2 losses (20 KOs), entered the bout as the IBF champion, having been elevated to full champion status on June 26, 2024, after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt. Despite being considered the underdog, Dubois delivered a dominant performance, knocking Joshua down in the first round with a huge overhand right. He continued to pressure Joshua, scoring further knockdowns in rounds three and four, before ultimately stopping him in the fifth round with another powerful right hand. This victory marked a significant upset and allowed Dubois to retain his IBF title.
Anthony Joshua Outlines 2025 Plans
In his interview in Nigeria, Joshua praised the country and President Tinubu, stating how well he and his family had been treated in their country.
Once asked about his loss to Dubois, Joshua said, ‘It makes me more hungry. […] 2024 I look back and believe I could’ve done more, and now I have another chance in 2025’.
When asked if he felt he should’ve done anything differently in the fight, AJ replied, ‘Of course, I should have won’.
Joshua then spoke on his plans for 2025, outlining his targets for the year – ‘Three-time world champion… and Tyson Fury’.
He adds, pointing to the camera, ‘2025 I’m targeting Tyson Fury’.
The Heavyweight Landscape: Usyk’s Dominance and Fury’s Retirement
The heavyweight division saw significant shifts in 2024 and 2025. Tyson Fury, whom Joshua targeted, faced Oleksandr Usyk twice in 2024. Their first encounter on May 18, 2024, for the undisputed heavyweight championship, saw Usyk defeat Fury by split decision, handing Fury his first professional loss. A rematch between Fury and Usyk took place on December 21, 2024, where Usyk once again emerged victorious, this time by unanimous decision, cementing his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion. Following this second loss to Usyk, Tyson Fury announced his retirement from professional boxing on January 13, 2025.
Oleksandr Usyk continued his reign, and in July 2025, he faced Daniel Dubois in a unification bout. Usyk defeated Dubois by knockout in the fifth round, becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. This made Usyk the first male boxer to become a three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era, having previously achieved undisputed status at cruiserweight. His professional record stood at an undefeated 24 wins, with 15 by knockout.
Joshua’s Path Forward in a Transformed Division
Following his loss to Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua’s 2025 plans to become a three-time world champion and fight Tyson Fury were significantly altered. While a fight with the now-retired Fury is off the table, Joshua’s pursuit of a world title remains. His professional record currently stands at 29 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws, with 26 of those wins coming by knockout. In his most recent outing, Joshua secured a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul on December 19, 2025. With Usyk’s continued dominance and Fury’s retirement, the heavyweight landscape has shifted dramatically, presenting new challenges and opportunities for Joshua as he continues his career. He is currently scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25, 2026.
Fury is coming off a second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, who has now done the double on both Fury and Joshua.
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