British-Nigerian boxing icon Anthony Joshua has issued a bold warning to his heavyweight rivals, promising to “come back with a bang” and “take the division by storm” when he returns to the ring.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion, who turns 36 in October, has been out of action since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September. Addressing his time away from the sport, Joshua explained that he’s been focused on recovery and long-overdue rest, following surgery in May to fix a persistent elbow injury.
“This is my life,” Joshua said during a Matchroom event, where the Eddie Hearn-led promotion also unveiled new branding. “For the first time in over a decade, I took a year off to get my body right. I’m at a different stage of my career now. I don’t have all the time in the world, so I have to be strategic about what’s next.”
While refusing to name potential opponents, Joshua made it clear that his next chapter won’t be business as usual.
“When I return, I won’t just be going through the motions. I’m coming back fully prepared, fully active, and ready to shake up the division,” he declared.
During his time away from the ring, the 35-year-old has been seen engaging with fans across Africa, including in Nigeria and Ghana, where he spent part of his recovery.
His comments come amid renewed movement in the heavyweight landscape. Long-time rival Deontay Wilder recently returned with a lacklustre win over Tyrrell Herndon, while American heavyweight Jarrell Miller has claimed Joshua turned down four fight offers in the past month.
Adding to the intrigue, Joshua has found himself in a war of words with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. In a recent interview with The Sun, Paul revealed that Joshua responded to his online jabs with a private message warning: “You’re gonna be fighting for your life, and you’ll know the feeling I’ve gone through.”
The exchange has sparked speculation about a future showdown, with Paul expressing interest in facing Joshua in front of a British crowd.
As the heavyweight division heats up, all eyes now turn to Joshua’s next move—and judging by his tone, he’s preparing to make a statement.