The latest heavyweight rankings update has sent shockwaves across the boxing world. While Tyson Fury remains firmly seated near the top, one of the sport’s most recognizable names—Anthony Joshua—has been removed from the prestigious Ring Magazine Top 10 list. For fans, analysts, and promoters alike, this shift doesn’t just mark a change in numbers; it symbolizes a dramatic turn in the heavyweight storyline. The decision reflects not only in-ring performances but also long-term inactivity, age, and the fast-moving nature of today’s heavyweight scene.

Anthony Joshua’s Year of Silence

In 2025, Anthony Joshua’s presence has been more about speculation than action. Despite his expressed desires earlier in the year to return to the ring, Joshua has not fought since September 2024, when he suffered a devastating knockout loss at the hands of fellow Brit Daniel Dubois. That defeat was more than just a loss—it raised serious questions about Joshua’s resilience, conditioning, and hunger. Throughout 2025, rumors swirled around potential matchups. From whispers of a Tyson Fury super-fight to possibilities against Martin Bakole or even crossover buzz with Jake Paul, fans were left wondering whether Joshua was waiting for the right payday, the right opponent, or simply the right moment to rediscover himself. But as weeks turned to months, the comeback never materialized. Now, as September 2025 winds down, the reality is undeniable: Joshua’s name no longer carries the same weight in the rankings it once did.

The Harsh Reality of the Rankings Drop

Being removed from the Ring Magazine Top 10 heavyweights is no small matter. The list is considered one of the most credible, historically respected sources in boxing rankings. For years, Joshua was a staple in the elite mix, once even hailed as the man to dominate the division post-Klitschko era. Now, at 35 turning 36 in October, he finds himself looking in from the outside. The drop reflects not just the knockout loss to Dubois but also his inactivity—a deadly factor in modern boxing where momentum can be just as important as ability.

Tyson Fury Holds His Ground

While Joshua slips, Tyson Fury remains in the spotlight. Despite his own rollercoaster career filled with retirements, comebacks, and controversies, Fury continues to command respect in the rankings. His ability to generate headlines both inside and outside the ring, combined with his knack for delivering in big fights, keeps him firmly entrenched among the sport’s elite. Fans continue to debate whether Fury has truly been tested since his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, but the fact remains: Fury has managed to stay relevant and competitive, even while others falter.

What Went Wrong for Anthony Joshua?

The fall of Anthony Joshua can’t be boiled down to one fight or one decision. Instead, it’s a mixture of elements:

• Inconsistency in big fights: From the loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 to multiple defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua’s career has been defined by ups and downs.

• Knockout defeat to Dubois: A turning point that made fans question his chin, his strategy, and his future.

• Inactivity in 2025: Perhaps the biggest blow. In a division stacked with fighters like Fury, Dubois, Bakole, and Jared Anderson, sitting on the sidelines means fading fast.

• Mental and career fatigue: At nearly 36, Joshua is no longer the hungry, ferocious young lion who stormed through the heavyweight ranks.

Fan Reactions Tell the Story

Across social media, fans are divided. Some argue that Joshua still deserves a place in the top 10 based on his legacy and name recognition alone. Others claim that boxing is a “what have you done lately” sport, and inactivity paired with knockout losses is more than enough justification to drop him. “If you don’t fight, you don’t rank,” has been a recurring sentiment. This polarizing reaction proves one thing: Joshua’s name still draws attention, even in decline.

The End of an Era or Just a Pause?

The big question now is whether Anthony Joshua’s story is nearing its final chapter. At 36, he is undeniably in the twilight of his career. Heavyweight boxing has rarely been kind to fighters at this age unless they have the iron will and discipline of legends like George Foreman or Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua’s training clips, sporadically shared on social media, suggest he’s still in shape and motivated. Yet motivation alone won’t erase the doubts that linger from his recent defeats. If Joshua does make a comeback in 2026, he will need not just a win but a statement victory to remind the world why he was once considered the future of boxing.

What This Means for the Heavyweight Division

Joshua’s absence from the top 10 opens the door for rising names. Fighters like Jared Anderson, Filip Hrgović, and Arslanbek Makhmudov are waiting to climb higher, eager to capitalize on the shift. Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois has already solidified his position as a new face of British heavyweight boxing, further pushing Joshua out of the spotlight. The heavyweight scene is as competitive as ever, and with younger, hungrier fighters on the rise, there’s little room for legends to coast.

Could Joshua Still Shock the World?

History tells us never to fully count out a former champion. Whether it was Muhammad Ali reclaiming the title after exile, or George Foreman shocking the world at 45, heavyweight boxing has a tradition of dramatic comebacks. Joshua may no longer be in the top 10, but a single night, a single fight, a single knockout could thrust him back into the conversation. The intrigue lies in whether he can find the right fight to reignite his career. Would fans still buy into a Fury-Joshua clash? Could a fight with someone like Deontay Wilder still sell big? The curiosity remains, and in boxing, curiosity sells.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua – A Dream Now Out of Reach?

For years, fans dreamed of a Fury vs. Joshua mega-fight—a battle that would decide once and for all who is the true king of British boxing. With Joshua now out of the rankings and Fury holding firm, that dream feels further away than ever. Still, boxing has a way of delivering surprises. If Joshua stages a comeback and Fury continues to fight, the paths may cross again. Until then, the matchup remains in the “what if” category—a tantalizing scenario that fuels endless debate.

Final Thoughts

The latest heavyweight rankings update tells a story of contrast: Tyson Fury remains steady while Anthony Joshua falls away. For Fury, it’s business as usual, keeping his place among the division’s elite. For Joshua, it’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes change in boxing. The sport is brutal, unforgiving, and constantly moving forward. Fans will now wait to see whether Joshua fades quietly into retirement or roars back for one last run at glory. Until then, his fall from the top 10 serves as both a wake-up call and a symbol of just how competitive the heavyweight division has become.