Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) has announced he will undergo elbow surgery in May, temporarily halting his boxing career. The British fighter will focus on recovery rather than preparing for upcoming bouts.
While Joshua's team describes the procedure as minor, it will still require a significant break from training—at least six weeks according to the boxer. His team is currently finalizing the surgical details, after which Joshua will step away from the gym for his recovery period.
"When do you guys want me to come back? I'm trying to get my body right now," Joshua explained in an interview with Ring Magazine. He emphasized his intention to take the necessary time for full recovery before stepping back into the ring.
According to Statbet analytics, this injury setback comes at a crucial point in Joshua's career trajectory following significant ups and downs in recent performances.
Considering the rehabilitation period and time needed to regain competitive form, boxing experts believe Joshua is unlikely to return to action before late summer. This marks another delay in his campaign to reclaim heavyweight supremacy.
Joshua's recent record has been mixed. On April 9 last year, he secured an impressive second-round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, his fourth consecutive win after losing his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KO). However, on September 9, 2024, he suffered a surprising defeat to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KO), losing via fifth-round knockout in their IBF heavyweight title fight—a belt previously held by Usyk.
