Anthony Joshua, the British heavyweight boxing star, is plotting his return to the ring after suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September and undergoing subsequent elbow surgery. Promoter Eddie Hearn is orchestrating a two-fight comeback deal for Joshua, with advanced discussions underway with Riyadh Season, a Saudi Arabian entertainment initiative, to host both bouts. The targeted timeframe for Joshua’s return is between October and December of this year. Hearn emphasized the strategic nature of this plan, highlighting the intent to secure a significant two-fight agreement with Riyadh Season, a partnership first discussed during the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo fight. This suggests a substantial financial investment in Joshua’s return and underscores the ongoing importance of the Saudi Arabian market in the world of professional boxing.
One potential opponent for Joshua’s comeback fight has emerged in the form of Mahmoud Charr, a former WBA secondary heavyweight titleholder. A recent face-off between Joshua and Charr in Dubai, where Joshua was vacationing, has fueled speculation about a potential bout. Charr, a Lebanon-born German boxer, boldly proclaimed himself “the only giant in Syria” during the encounter, adding an element of intrigue and animosity to the potential matchup. While Charr’s recent record and inactivity raise questions about the competitiveness of such a fight, the encounter in Dubai has undoubtedly generated some buzz and placed Charr firmly in the conversation as a possible opponent for Joshua’s return.
Charr’s career has been marked by both achievement and adversity. He held the WBA secondary heavyweight title for an extended period before losing it to Kubrat Pulev in December. Since then, he has been absent from the ring. However, Charr’s resilience is evident in his remarkable recovery from a near-fatal shooting incident in 2015. The attack, stemming from an online feud with a Facebook troll, left Charr with serious injuries, requiring two hip operations. Astonishingly, he returned to the ring just nine months later, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his boxing career. Despite this incredible comeback, the lasting impact of the shooting necessitated a double hip replacement in 2017, a significant procedure for an athlete still in his early thirties.
While Charr presents one possibility for Joshua’s return, Hearn and Joshua’s team are carefully observing the heavyweight landscape, particularly the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. Usyk, who holds multiple heavyweight titles, will face Dubois on July 19 at Wembley Stadium, a rematch of their 2021 bout which Usyk won by stoppage. The outcome of this fight will undoubtedly have significant implications for the heavyweight division and could influence Joshua’s future plans. Hearn has acknowledged the importance of the Usyk-Dubois rematch, suggesting that the winner could be a potential opponent for Joshua in the future. This strategic approach indicates that Joshua’s team is not solely focused on Charr but is keeping its options open, depending on the evolving dynamics of the heavyweight division.
Beyond the Usyk-Dubois rematch, the lingering question of Tyson Fury’s potential return also looms large over the heavyweight scene. Fury, who announced his retirement earlier this year after two victories over Joshua, remains a highly sought-after opponent. Hearn has expressed hope that Fury will reconsider his retirement and agree to a highly anticipated clash with Joshua, a fight that would undoubtedly capture the attention of the boxing world. This highlights the ongoing desire for a Joshua-Fury showdown, a fight that many consider to be the biggest potential matchup in the heavyweight division. While Fury’s retirement casts doubt on this possibility, Hearn’s comments suggest that hope remains for a future encounter between these two British boxing stars.
Joshua’s comeback is strategically timed, aiming for a December return following his elbow surgery in May. The Dubois loss was a setback, reshaping the heavyweight landscape and requiring Joshua to reassess his path forward. The planned two-fight deal with Riyadh Season provides a platform for him to rebuild momentum and potentially position himself for future title challenges. The careful consideration of opponents, including Charr, the winner of the Usyk-Dubois rematch, and the ever-present possibility of a Fury fight, underscores the strategic approach being taken by Joshua’s team. His return to the ring represents a pivotal moment in his career, and the choices made in the coming months will determine the course of his journey back to the top of the heavyweight division.
