Anthony Joshua has confirmed a massive return to boxing in December, following a period of recovery after undergoing elbow surgery this month.

Speaking to ESPN Mexico, Joshua revealed he was prioritising physical rehabilitation before resuming full training later this year. The procedure is expected to keep him out of the gym for up to eight weeks, pushing his return to the final month of 2025 and extending his lay-off to over a year.

“I just want to get my body feeling good and then I’ll fight. It’s a simple job, ” the 35-year-old said.

“December, I will fight again, that’s when I want to fight again, I’ll take some time and I will go in December.”

“To be a champion you’ve got to be great. I was good in my last fight but not great.”

The British Nigerian boxer acknowledged the need to elevate his performance if he is to reclaim world championship status, stating

“Throughout the last year or so, especially my last fight I was good but not great. To be a champion you gotta be ‘on your s***’ basically and I need to step my game up,” he said.

The two-time world heavyweight champion, who has visited Nigeria as part of his recovery, has been out of action since suffering a devastating fifth-round knockout against Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.