Anthony Joshua Dropped from IBF Rankings as Ajagba, Itauma Rise
Anthony Joshua has been removed from the latest IBF heavyweight rankings, while Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba and Moses Itauma have moved up the list.
Joshua, a former two-time world champion, has not fought since his fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September 2024. He turned down a chance for an immediate rematch and instead had elbow surgery. Meanwhile, Dubois later lost his IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua was rumoured to be planning a fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul early next year, but Paul is now set to fight Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match in November.
With no confirmed opponent, the IBF has now dropped Joshua from its rankings, where he was previously ranked sixth.
Usyk remains the IBF champion, with Derek Chisora and Ajagba sitting in second and third places. Itauma is now fifth, after defeating Dillian Whyte last month. Dubois is in seventh.
Joshua is not expected to return to the ring before the end of 2025, with a comeback likely in early 2026.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, says Joshua’s next fight will likely be a warm-up bout before a big showdown.
“I don’t think it’ll be in December,” Hearn said. “He’s back in training after elbow surgery. Big fights take time to arrange, and every AJ fight is a big event.”
There have been talks about Joshua fighting in Ghana, which could be his first fight back.
“There’s been an offer to fight in Ghana. It would be incredible for AJ to fight in Africa,” Hearn added.
“If they want to go in January or February, that could work. But there’s no rush, even though he’s been out of the ring for nearly a year.”
Hearn also commented on the possible fight with Jake Paul, saying it depends on what happens in Paul’s match with Gervonta Davis.
“We spoke to Jake Paul’s team. They want to fight AJ after the Davis exhibition,” he said.
“But if Jake gets knocked out, then we can’t go ahead. Even though it’s just an exhibition, we have to wait and see.”
Despite the uncertainty, Hearn said Joshua is still focused on having one final, career-defining fight.
“His next fight will be a warm-up. Then we want to go all-in for a big fight — ideally against Tyson Fury. If not him, then one of the top five heavyweights,” he said.
