Fury fight, tune-up or title bid: What next for Anthony Joshua in 2026 after Jake Paul victory?

Anthony Joshua returned to the ring in winning fashion on Friday night as he put down Jake Paul four times en route to a sixth-round knockout.

The Briton ended a fifteen-month absence on the right foot against 'The Problem Child' in Miami, comprehensively outclassing his opponent.

It tees up what could be a legacy-defining 2026 for the former two-time world champion as he bids to further enshrine his modern great status.

A bout with Tyson Fury is the option the star wants most - but will it be what he takes up next, or could there be other challenges in the pipeline?

DAZN News studies the next options for 'AJ' after dispatching Paul - and just what each will mean for a heavyweight division primed for change.

A long-awaited Fury face-off

It has been close but no coconut on a few occasions for this British super-bout, arguably this generation's biggest domestic heavyweight clash.

With Fury hanging up his gloves at the start of the year following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, it appeared as if the moment had passed.

But 'The Gypsy King' has teased a return throughout much of 2025, and the sport's powerbrokers have worked to get him in the ring with Joshua.

Now, it seems like their results will bear fruit, with rumours suggesting a dance in the latter half of 2026 could be on the cards between the two.

After defeating Paul, Joshua reiterated his call-out to his rival, who surely had caught his latest knockout. If not now, then it is likely never.

A tense tune-up tussle

While Joshua's words implied he wants Fury next, the plan as mooted by promoters would be for both men to take an effective warm-up bout first.

If that is still the plan, then the Briton will fight in the first quarter of 2026, possibly against a ranked opponent, to further hone his fitness.

Six rounds with Paul - several of which he spent stalking his opponent down - may have helped get his legs back in, but he'll need a tougher foe.

There's no shortage of options, too, from domestic - Dave Allen, for example - to international - Nigeria's Efe Ajagba, or Arslanbek Makhmudov.

The risk, of course, is that plenty of opponents will not simply roll over for Joshua, and could spring an upset. He will have plenty to consider.

A world title opportunity

After his pair of losses to Usyk between 2021 and 2022, Joshua began a rebuild with the express purpose of reclaiming the world titles he had lost.

He entered his bout with Daniel Dubois in September 2024 as the pre-fight favourite and was odds-on to take his IBF crown - only to be bested.

The desire to secure a historic third reign will still burn hard for Joshua, and with Usyk relinquishing one belt to Fabio Wardley, the door is open.

The newly minted WBO champion - also WBA interim - has made no secret of the delight he would have to face one of his biggest domestic foes.

If Fury somehow eludes Joshua again in this instance, then do not be surprised if he opts to pursue the Ipswich man and his crown soon as well.

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