UKAD interrupts Joshua's Dubai dinner as talks with Hearn continue; Africa plans on the horizon for 2026

Anthony Joshua's dinner in Dubai with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was interrupted when officials from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) arrived unannounced to demand a sample, halting a high-end evening in the UAE. The 35-year-old former heavyweight champion has not fought since his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois and was in Dubai for talks about his next move when the testing took place.

Hearn captured the moment on social media, writing: “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 joked about his physique as he began the testing process, including providing blood draws. The incident also highlighted the ongoing obligations athletes face while preparing for a comeback. UKAD works with the British Boxing Board of Control and has the right to test athletes at any time and in any location. Boxers are required to provide their whereabouts in advance, and failure to comply can carry suspensions. The surprise visit comes as Joshua continues his recovery from elbow surgery earlier this year, which delayed a long-anticipated return to the ring.

Joshua appeared to give blood as part of the process, later posting a photo with Hearn showing a plaster on the inside of his arm. He also shared a clip of himself doing poolside pull-ups, doubling down on the light-hearted tone that accompanied the episode. The testing event underscores the realities of a comeback in progress and the meticulous planning required as Joshua plots his next move while maintaining compliance with anti-doping rules.

Joshua is expected to return to the ring at the start of 2026. Talks with Jake Paul briefly surfaced, but the YouTuber-turned-boxer has since announced an exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis in November. Paul’s camp has left open the possibility of a Joshua clash in 2026, though Eddie Hearn has asserted that Matchroom is pressing ahead with its own schedule and hinted at a blockbuster bout in Africa as a potential next step. “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. He added that the Africa plan could be part of a broader, multi-event partnership aimed at expanding boxing across the continent and that Ghana remains a realistic consideration for a future event.

Meanwhile, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith has been pursuing the Africa strategy more broadly. He traveled to Accra, Ghana, in August to explore venues and partnerships that could host AJ and other Matchroom fighters. He said discussions could involve staging major events at the Accra Sports Stadium, which could accommodate 50,000 to 60,000 spectators when filled. Beyond boxing, Smith said the partnership could include concerts and other entertainment ventures, highlighting a long-term objective to grow boxing in Ghana, Nigeria and across Africa. Smith also noted that no opponent had been identified for a potential Ghanaian bout and that while French heavyweight Tony Yoka had publicly floated a Ghana-based matchup, Matchroom had not begun formal discussions with any challenger.

Hearn also touched on the broader landscape for a potential Fury showdown. Tyson Fury, who announced retirement earlier this year following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, has floated a possible comeback. Hearn said the plan, if it comes together, would involve tune-up fights before a high-stakes all-British clash, with the aim of locking in a date for early 2026 and then pursuing Fury. The statements reflect a careful, long-range strategy by Joshua’s camp: use a measured return in early 2026 to position for major events—not just in Europe or America, but potentially in Africa, where Matchroom is actively seeking to build a lasting footprint.

The Dubai incident and the post-dinner discussions illustrate Joshua’s ongoing efforts to balance recovery, compliance, and ambitious plans for a career renaissance. If the Africa pathway takes shape, it would mark a first-of-its-kind chapter for a heavyweight returning to prominence on a continent that has shown growing appetite for major boxing nights. As Joshua works through the logistics of a staged return, his team remains focused on high-profile but strategically timed bouts, with the Jake Paul connection now largely in the rearview as Matchroom pursues its January-to-February 2026 window and broader regional partnerships.