Joshua's Dubai dinner interrupted by UKAD drug testers as comeback plan unfolds

Anthony Joshua’s dinner in Dubai with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was interrupted when UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) officers arrived unannounced to request a sample, a moment captured by Hearn on social media. The 35-year-old former heavyweight world champion has not fought since his September 2024 knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois and was in the UAE amid talks about his next move. UKAD operates with the British Boxing Board of Control and has the right to test athletes at any time, anywhere in the world, making the scene a reflection of the sport’s ongoing anti-doping framework as Joshua plots a return.

The officers arrived at the table during a still and jovial moment, with Hearn filming as Joshua prepared to provide a blood sample. Hearn posted on social media, quoting the moment: “Most tested fighter of all time. Hasn't boxed for a year. Out for dinner in Dubai and UKAD rock up.” Joshua smiled into the camera and quipped, “Ed, they must have seen my chin ups.” The fighter later appeared to give blood as part of the process and shared a photo with Hearn showing a plaster on the inside of his arm. He also posted a video of himself knocking out pull-ups by the pool, continuing the light-hearted exchange about UKAD’s visit.

Joshua is expected to return to the ring at the start of 2026 after elbow surgery earlier this year delayed his long-anticipated comeback. Talks with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul briefly surfaced, but Paul has since announced an exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis in November. Paul’s camp has floated a possible Joshua clash in 2026, though promoter Eddie Hearn has signaled he is not banking on a Paul matchup and is pursuing his own schedule. “We’re certainly not holding out for a Jake Paul fight. We’re making our own plans and that will be January, February 2026,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith said Ghana is being eyed as a potential destination for a major AJ event, with exploratory discussions in Accra and open talks about a broader, multi-event partnership designed to grow elite boxing across Africa. Smith traveled to Accra in August to scout venues and met with local promoters, including Legacy Sports, which staged Amir Khan’s event in the country earlier this year. He said the Accra Sports Stadium is under consideration and could accommodate a 50,000–60,000 crowd, highlighting the infrastructure in place to deliver a high-profile show. The push into Africa is framed as part of a longer-term strategy that extends beyond Joshua’s return and encompasses concerts and cross-entertainment ventures to maximize impact.

Smith acknowledged that no opponent has been identified for an envisioned rally in Ghana, and French heavyweight Tony Yoka has claimed the fight could be “90 per cent done” for Africa, though Smith dismissed those claims and stressed that the focus remains on logistics rather than matchmaking at this stage. “We haven’t really even looked at opponents,” he said, adding that the priority is a landmark event that could resonate across the continent.

The conversation around Joshua’s return is intertwined with Tyson Fury’s possible comeback. Fury announced retirement earlier this year after losses to Oleksandr Usyk, but Hearn suggested both men could take tune-up bouts before finally meeting in a long-awaited all-British blockbuster. “When AJ posts something like that [at Fury], you know he’s serious. The next step is to lock in a fight for early 2026 - then we want Tyson Fury,” Hearn said, signaling that a high-stakes showdown could be on the horizon should both boxers find suitable challenges before fighting each other. The remarks underscore a broader strategy at Matchroom: pursue a high-profile return for Joshua, while building a lasting platform in Africa that could outlive his career.