The boxing community is abuzz with speculation regarding Anthony Joshua's upcoming opponent, as conflicting reports suggest either a strategic return against Tony Yoka or a highly anticipated, albeit less traditional, matchup with Jake Paul. While promotional giant Eddie Hearn champions the possibility of a 2026 showdown between Joshua and Paul, the whispers of a fight with Yoka are growing louder, fueled by discussions between Yoka's promoter and Joshua himself. This intriguing situation highlights the complex landscape of modern boxing, where traditional rivalries intersect with celebrity-driven events, leaving fans eager to see which path the former heavyweight champion will ultimately take as he seeks to reassert his dominance in the division.
Reports from L'Equipe indicate that Yohan Zaoui, Tony Yoka's promoter, engaged in discussions with Anthony Joshua during his vacation in Cyprus. According to Zaoui, Joshua expressed a strong inclination, stating a 90% likelihood, for Yoka to be his next adversary. This revelation offers a fresh perspective on Joshua's immediate future, moving beyond the prevalent talk of a clash with Jake Paul, a prospect that Hearn seems to be actively fostering for early 2026.
The potential encounter between Joshua, the 2012 London Olympic gold medalist, and Yoka, who secured super heavyweight gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, promises an intriguing narrative. Despite sharing Olympic success, their professional trajectories have diverged significantly. Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) has maintained a high profile in the sport, while Yoka (14-3, 11 KO), at 33 years old, has faced a more challenging professional career, marked by a series of defeats against Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Ryad Merhy in 2022-23, all in his home country of France. However, Yoka has recently found renewed momentum, winning three consecutive bouts and, importantly, signing with Queensberry Promotions. This move signals a clear intent to establish his presence in the United Kingdom boxing scene, where his new promoters, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, often collaborate.
A fight with Yoka, while not representing Joshua's most challenging professional outing, offers a valuable opportunity for the 35-year-old British boxer to regain momentum. Coming off a recent defeat to Daniel Dubois, a victory against a fellow Olympic gold medalist, even one with a less stellar professional record, would serve as a crucial "rust-shaker" and confidence booster. Such a bout could effectively pave the way for Joshua to enter a more significant fight with the crucial advantage of a recent win under his belt, a common strategy employed by elite boxers seeking to recover from a setback.
Ultimately, the boxing world remains on edge, awaiting the official announcement of Joshua's next opponent. The choice between a narrative-rich encounter with Yoka or a financially lucrative, but perhaps less conventionally aligned, bout with Paul, will undoubtedly shape the next chapter of Joshua's illustrious career.