Anthony Joshua has hinted that a move into MMA could be part of his future plans before he eventually retires from combat sports, sparking fresh discussion about what lies ahead for the former heavyweight champion.
The British boxer is set to return to action on July 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he will face Kristian Prenga. This will be his first fight since his stoppage win over Jake Paul, a bout that did little to answer lingering questions about his current form but still ended in a routine victory.
Joshua is widely expected to overcome Prenga without major difficulty, a result that could open the door to one of boxing’s most anticipated clashes in recent years against Tyson Fury. Fury had previously called him out following his win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, but Joshua initially showed no interest in stepping into the ring at that moment. However, talks later progressed and both camps eventually agreed to a deal, with a potential showdown now being targeted for November.
With Joshua approaching 37 in October, attention has increasingly turned to how long he intends to remain in the sport. Rather than closing off possibilities, the heavyweight star appears open to exploring new challenges, including a potential switch to mixed martial arts.
Speaking on the Mr Verzace podcast, Joshua suggested that fighters from boxing and MMA should not be limited by boundaries between the sports. He explained that both disciplines feature elite athletes and that it would be interesting to see how boxers perform inside the octagon. He also noted that MMA fighters have already tested themselves in boxing, making a crossover from the opposite side a natural thought.
Over the years, crossover bouts have become more common in combat sports. Joshua himself recorded a notable victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, stopping him in the second round during their boxing encounter. Ngannou, however, had earlier pushed Tyson Fury to a split decision in a closely contested fight, even managing to knock the British heavyweight down in the third round.
As Joshua edges closer to the final phase of his career, his openness to new challenges continues to fuel speculation about what direction he may take next, both inside and possibly beyond the boxing ring.
