Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on February 20, 2026, that former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is targeting a return to the ring in July 2026.
This timeline follows Joshua’s survival of a fatal car accident in Sagamu, Nigeria, on December 29, 2025.
The crash, which occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when Joshua’s Lexus SUV struck a stationary truck, resulted in the deaths of his close friends and training team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
The accident has forced a significant restructuring of Joshua’s professional calendar. A previously tentative March 2026 bout and a highly anticipated summer showdown against Tyson Fury have been scrapped.
Hearn indicated that while Joshua has resumed light training, he is not yet physically or mentally ready for a full training camp.
The July return is envisioned as a “tune-up” fight to facilitate his comeback, with potential opponents including Martin Bakole, Filip Hrgovic, or Richard Riakporhe.
A fight against Fury is now unlikely to occur before late 2026 or early 2027.The legal aftermath of the incident continues in Nigeria, where Joshua’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was arraigned in January on charges of dangerous driving and operating without a valid license.
Joshua, who sustained only minor injuries in the crash, made his first public appearance in January, stating his intention to continue his career as a tribute to his deceased teammates.
The tragedy also served as a catalyst for Tyson Fury’s own return to the sport; Fury cited the fragility of life exposed by Joshua’s accident as the primary reason for ending his retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in April 2026.
Image Credit: Punch.ng
Source: Punch.ng
