Anthony Joshua has made it clear that his ambitions extend far beyond his long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury. While millions of boxing fans are focused on the December blockbuster between two of Britain’s biggest heavyweight stars, Joshua has already identified several other major fights that could define the next chapter of his career, including a potential collision with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
For years, the boxing world has debated whether Joshua and Fury would ever share a professional ring. Negotiations, failed agreements, changing schedules and competing promotional interests repeatedly threatened to prevent one of the biggest fights in modern heavyweight boxing from happening.
Now, with their December 11, 2026, showdown scheduled for the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, attention is beginning to shift toward what could happen after the two British rivals finally settle their long-running rivalry.
And Joshua’s ambitions suggest that he has no intention of allowing one defining night to become the final chapter of his heavyweight story.
ANTHONY JOSHUA HAS BIGGER PLANS THAN JUST TYSON FURY
The upcoming showdown with Tyson Fury represents one of the most important opportunities of Joshua’s professional career. However, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion has repeatedly indicated that his future ambitions extend well beyond defeating his longtime British rival.
During an interview with The Ring’s CEO, Rick Reeno, on the Mr. Verzace Podcast in June 2026, Joshua discussed the possibility of facing several major names in the heavyweight division.
His comments offered a revealing glimpse into how he views the remaining years of his career.
Joshua made it clear that a fight with Fury would not necessarily represent the conclusion of his ambitions. Instead, he identified a series of potential matchups that could keep him at the center of heavyweight boxing.
Among the names he mentioned were Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, Moses Itauma and Deontay Wilder.
That list is particularly significant because it includes established champions, dangerous contenders and some of the division’s most recognizable knockout artists.
Joshua’s message was straightforward: he still wants the biggest fights available, and he does not intend to build his future around just one opponent.
“There’s a lot more fights to happen, a lot more big fights,” Joshua explained during the interview.
He also described the Fury matchup as one of the defining contests of their generation while making it clear that he did not consider his rival to be above everyone else in the heavyweight division.
For Joshua, Fury is an important challenge, but not the only challenge worth pursuing.
THE FURY SHOWDOWN COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
The December 11 meeting between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been discussed for almost a decade.
Both men have experienced extraordinary success, endured difficult defeats and rebuilt their careers through different stages of the heavyweight division.
Joshua became one of Britain’s biggest sporting stars after winning Olympic gold in 2012 before capturing multiple heavyweight world titles as a professional.
Fury, meanwhile, established himself as one of the most recognizable heavyweight personalities in boxing through his victories over Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder.
Despite their achievements, the two British fighters have never faced each other professionally.
That absence has remained one of boxing’s biggest unfinished stories.
Their December showdown at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is therefore much more than another heavyweight contest. It represents the culmination of years of negotiations, public challenges and unanswered questions.
According to the announcement published by Netflix in November, the fight is scheduled to take place on December 11, 2026, with the event being streamed live on the platform.
The significance of the matchup is difficult to underestimate.
Both fighters understand that their legacies will be judged partly by what happens when they finally meet. A victory could provide enormous momentum for the next stage of their careers, while a defeat could force difficult questions about their future direction.
However, Joshua’s previous comments indicate that he sees the fight as an opportunity rather than a finish line.
He wants to remain involved in major heavyweight contests, and that ambition could make the period following the Fury fight just as interesting as the build-up itself.
DEONTAY WILDER REMAINS ON JOSHUA’S RADAR
Perhaps the most intriguing name on Joshua’s list is Deontay Wilder.
For years, a potential meeting between Joshua and Wilder has been considered one of the most attractive heavyweight matchups available.
Both fighters built their reputations around devastating punching power, aggressive finishing instincts and the ability to change a fight with a single clean shot.
Joshua has developed a reputation for combining physical strength with technically powerful combinations, while Wilder became famous for his explosive right hand and extraordinary knockout record.
Their contrasting approaches have made the matchup particularly appealing to boxing supporters.
Wilder’s name has repeatedly appeared in discussions about Joshua’s future, but the fight has never materialized.
Joshua’s June 2026 comments demonstrated that he has not forgotten about the American.
When discussing the potential fights available to him, he specifically included Wilder among the opponents he would still like to face.
That statement matters because it shows that Joshua’s interest in the matchup is not simply based on speculation from fans or promoters.
It is a fight he has publicly acknowledged as part of his ambitions.
Wilder has also previously expressed interest in facing Joshua. In April 2026, following his victory over Derek Chisora, the American called out the British heavyweight, telling him, “Let’s do it.”
Joshua was present at the event, creating another opportunity for the two former world champions to acknowledge the possibility of finally meeting.
Nevertheless, there is an important complication.
Wilder is scheduled to face Jai Opetaia on December 11, 2026, on the undercard of Joshua versus Fury. That means the American has his own significant assignment before any potential negotiations with Joshua could become realistic.
The possibility of Joshua versus Wilder remains an attractive long-term storyline, but no agreement for such a fight has been announced.
WHY JOSHUA VS WILDER WOULD BE A MASSIVE HEAVYWEIGHT EVENT
A potential meeting between Joshua and Wilder would carry enormous commercial and sporting appeal.
Both fighters have spent years competing at the highest level of heavyweight boxing, and their careers have included some of the division’s most memorable knockout performances.
Joshua’s professional achievements include victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin and numerous other established opponents.
His ability to combine size, strength and powerful combinations has made him one of the most recognizable heavyweight fighters of his generation.
Wilder’s career has followed a different but equally recognizable path.
The American became WBC heavyweight champion and successfully defended his title multiple times. His rivalry with Tyson Fury produced one of the most memorable heavyweight trilogies of the modern era.
Although Wilder experienced difficult defeats against Fury, Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, his punching power has remained central to his reputation.
A Joshua-Wilder contest would therefore present an intriguing question: which fighter could impose his preferred style when two heavyweight punchers with different technical backgrounds finally meet?
Joshua would likely look to use his physical strength, combinations and ability to work behind his jab.
Wilder would be expected to search for opportunities to unleash his powerful right hand.
Neither fighter could afford to become careless.
In heavyweight boxing, a single mistake can change everything.
That is precisely why the matchup continues to attract attention, even though it has yet to become an officially confirmed fight.
JOSHUA ALSO HAS UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH DANIEL DUBOIS
While Wilder may represent one of the most commercially attractive options, Joshua has another major rivalry that could be equally important to his sporting legacy.
That opponent is Daniel Dubois.
Dubois delivered one of the most damaging defeats of Joshua’s professional career when he stopped the former champion in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
The result was a major setback for Joshua, who had entered the contest hoping to capture the IBF heavyweight championship.
Rather than producing the competitive fight many had anticipated, Dubois established control and eventually finished the contest with a powerful sequence of punches.
For Joshua, that defeat remains unfinished business.
During his interview discussing possible future opponents, he specifically mentioned the possibility of a rematch with Dubois.
Such a contest would carry a different emotional significance from the potential Wilder fight.
Against Wilder, Joshua would be pursuing another major heavyweight challenge.
Against Dubois, he would have the opportunity to address one of the most painful nights of his recent career.
A rematch would also provide an opportunity to determine whether Joshua has made the necessary adjustments since their first meeting.
However, the timing would depend on several factors, including championship opportunities, negotiations and the outcome of the fighters’ respective future commitments.
FABIO WARDLEY AND MOSES ITAUMA COULD CREATE NEW CHALLENGES
Joshua’s potential future opponents are not limited to established former champions.
He also mentioned Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma, two fighters whose careers could influence the heavyweight landscape over the coming years.
Wardley has established himself as a dangerous heavyweight with an aggressive approach and considerable punching power.
His rise has attracted attention because he has demonstrated an ability to compete in demanding contests while maintaining an exciting fighting style.
A potential Joshua-Wardley fight would offer an opportunity for Joshua to face another dangerous British heavyweight.
Meanwhile, Moses Itauma represents a different type of challenge.
The young British prospect has attracted considerable attention because of his speed, athleticism and finishing ability.
Although he is at a different stage of his career from Joshua, a future meeting between the two could become an important event if Itauma continues progressing toward the heavyweight elite.
Joshua’s willingness to mention Itauma is particularly interesting.
Rather than focusing exclusively on established names, the former champion appears open to testing himself against the next generation of heavyweight talent.
That approach could help keep his career relevant even as the division continues to change.
JOSHUA WANTS TO KEEP FIGHTING BEYOND THE FURY CLASH
One of the most important details from Joshua’s previous comments concerns his long-term commitment to boxing.
The former heavyweight champion has indicated that he wants to continue competing until approximately the age of 40.
At 36, that ambition would leave him with several potential years to pursue major fights, depending on his physical condition, performances and willingness to continue competing.
It also explains why Joshua has repeatedly rejected the suggestion that the Fury showdown must automatically become the final major event of his career.
For a fighter who has already experienced championship victories, devastating defeats and enormous public expectations, the motivation to continue competing is an important part of his story.
Joshua has experienced the highest levels of professional success, but he also understands how quickly circumstances can change in heavyweight boxing.
His defeat against Dubois demonstrated that even an experienced former champion can face serious difficulties when confronted by a younger, powerful opponent.
His future therefore depends on more than simply securing attractive matchups.
He must continue demonstrating that he can compete effectively against the best fighters in the division.
THE DECEMBER 11 CARD ADDS ANOTHER LAYER TO THE STORY
The scheduled December 11 event in Cardiff could become especially interesting because Deontay Wilder is also expected to appear on the card.
Wilder is set to face Jai Opetaia, adding another major heavyweight storyline to the same evening as Joshua versus Fury.
For boxing supporters, the situation creates an interesting connection between three fighters whose careers have crossed paths repeatedly.
Fury and Wilder share the history of their three-fight rivalry.
Joshua has spent years being linked to both men, with neither potential matchup previously becoming a professional contest.
Now, all three names are connected to the same major boxing event.
However, the presence of Wilder on the card should not be confused with confirmation that he will fight Joshua next.
His immediate focus remains Opetaia, while Joshua must first deal with Fury.
The results of those contests could influence future discussions, but no confirmed agreement currently establishes a Joshua-Wilder showdown.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN AFTER JOSHUA VS FURY?
The future of the heavyweight division could look very different after December 11.
If Joshua defeats Fury, he could enter 2027 with renewed momentum and several attractive options available.
A potential Wilder fight would immediately become one of the most recognizable matchups to discuss.
A rematch with Dubois could also become increasingly relevant, particularly if Joshua wants to settle the score following their 2024 encounter.
Alternatively, Wardley, Kabayel or Itauma could provide different challenges depending on championship developments and negotiations.
If Joshua loses, the situation could become more complicated.
He would need to consider whether another major contest could help rebuild his position or whether the defeat represented a turning point in his career.
Fury would face similar questions depending on the outcome.
The heavyweight division is constantly changing, and opportunities do not remain available indefinitely.
That makes Joshua’s willingness to discuss multiple opponents particularly significant.
He is not relying on one fight to determine the entire future of his career.
Instead, he appears determined to remain part of the biggest heavyweight conversations for as long as possible.
THE BIGGER QUESTION: CAN ANTHONY JOSHUA DELIVER ON HIS AMBITIONS?
There is no shortage of potential opponents for Anthony Joshua.
The challenge will be turning those possibilities into actual fights.
Fury remains the immediate priority, and the December 11 contest carries enormous importance for both men.
Wilder is another attractive name, but his scheduled meeting with Opetaia adds an important obstacle to any immediate plans.
Dubois offers the possibility of revenge, while Wardley and Itauma represent opportunities to test himself against different generations of British heavyweight talent.
Joshua’s comments have nevertheless revealed something important about his mindset.
He does not appear interested in allowing the Fury rivalry to define the entire remainder of his career.
He wants more major nights, more difficult challenges and more opportunities to compete against recognizable names.
For boxing fans, that creates several possible storylines heading into 2027.
The long-awaited Fury showdown may finally answer one of the biggest questions in British heavyweight boxing.
But it could also open the door to another chapter involving Joshua and Wilder.
For now, the focus remains on Cardiff.
Joshua must first face Fury, while Wilder has his own assignment against Opetaia.
Only after those fights will the next stage of the heavyweight picture become clearer.
One thing, however, is already evident from Joshua’s own words: Tyson Fury is not the only name he wants on his boxing résumé.
And if his ambitions become reality, the heavyweight division could have several more major nights involving Anthony Joshua before his career finally reaches its conclusion.
