Anthony Joshua possibly in contention to fight in Ghana on December 20

Anthony Joshua and Matchroom Boxing will co-promote a show in Ghana, Africa, on December 20, and there remains a chance that Joshua could yet appear on that bill.

Joshua has longed for a fight in Africa, and the Legon Sports Stadium event is topped by the attractive light-heavyweight clash between Craig Richards and Dan Azeez, with Indian star Nishant Dev and heavyweight prospect Leo Atang also slated to appear.

BoxingScene understands that Joshua is in the frame to fight, although any announcement on his next steps would likely only be confirmed by the former heavyweight champion himself.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has been inundated with inquiries about Joshua’s return and, asked recently by Boxing Social whether Joshua could box in 2025, Hearn said: “Possibly.”

Then, Hearn added: “There will be no big-name fight this year. It wouldn’t be a headline, it wouldn’t be a pay-per-view, you don’t have to moan about it, it can just be part of something that’s already existed and on sale – so there would be no one moaning. It’s just part of the development of getting into position of being 100 per cent ready for the big gamble.
“If he fights this year, he won’t headline. We want to work almost in silence and improve and get into the mode of being 100 per cent ready. This is about development and a bit of activity. It’s not about the money, it’s if we’re working on things… sometimes if you’ve been out of the ring for so long and you’re working on things, maybe you’ve got other people in different camps you’re working with, you don’t want to go back to an arena in front of 80,000 in a really tough fight and know that you’ve got to get it right after 16 months… This is for us. This is for ‘AJ’.” 

Ghana has lifted its brief ban on professional boxing after two fatalities in the country’s prize rings.

The Ghana Boxing Federation’s interim management committee and their medical sub-committee filed “an upgraded draft of comprehensive medical and safety protocols for boxing in Ghana”, having worked closely with the National Sports Authority and Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

Whether or not Joshua attends in a capacity other than a co-promoter remains to be seen, but Hearn told Boxing Social: “We’re going to get him in prime condition for the big one, and that’s all that matters.”

Asked what “the big one” was, Hearn responded: “Tyson Fury.”