Anthony Joshua’s dinner in Dubai with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was interrupted when drug testers from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) turned up at the table unannounced.
The 35-year-old heavyweight has not fought since his September 2024 knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, and with no immediate fight scheduled, was in the UAE holding talks with Hearn about his next move.
But, any sense of low-key negotiations was cut short when UKAD officers arrived at the lavish restaurant to conduct random testing on the former heavyweight world champion.
Hearn, who filmed the incident, posted: ‘Most tested fighter of all time. Hasn’t boxed for a year. Out for dinner in Dubai and UKAD rock up.’ Joshua, smiling into the camera, flexed and joked: ‘Ed, they must have seen my chin ups.’
UKAD, working alongside the British Boxing Board of Control, have the right to test athletes at any time, anywhere in the world. Boxers are required to provide their whereabouts in advance – with failure to comply risking suspensions.
The surprise visit from the UK Anti-Doping organisation comes as Joshua continues his recovery from elbow surgery earlier this year, which delayed his long-anticipated return to the ring.
Anthony Joshua ‘s dinner in Dubai with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was interrupted when drug testers from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) turned up at the table unannounced
Hearn posted: ‘Most tested fighter of all time. Hasn’t boxed for a year. Out for dinner in Dubai and UKAD rock up.’ AJ flexed and joked: ‘Ed, they must have seen my chin ups’
Joshua appeared to give blood as part of the process, later posting a photo with Hearn that showed a plaster on the inside of his arm.
Keeping the banter going, AJ doubled down on his earlier quip about UKAD ‘seeing his muscles’ by uploading a video of himself knocking out some pull-ups by the pool after dinner.
Joshua is expected to return to the ring at the start of 2026. Talks with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul briefly surfaced, but the American has since announced an exhibition bout against Gervonta Davis in November.
Paul’s camp still insists a clash with Joshua could happen in 2026, though Hearn insists they are pressing ahead with their own plans and hinted a blockbuster bout in Africa could be next.
Hearn told Sky Sports: ‘We’re certainly not holding out for a Jake Paul fight. We’re making our own plans and that will be January, February 2026.’ While Matchroom CEO Frank Smith told Daily Mail Sport Ghana was being eyed-up as a potential destination.
Smith flew to Ghana in August to hold exploratory meetings in Accra and open discussions over a broader, multi-event partnership designed to develop elite boxing across the region.
Smith travelled to Accra earlier to scope out potential venues and met with local promoters, including Legacy Sports, who staged Amir Khan’s event in the country earlier this year.
Smith told Daily Mail Sport that the Accra Sports Stadium is currently being evaluated as a potential venue for AJ and other Matchroom fighters – claiming the infrastructure is already in place to deliver a major event.
Smith also explained how discussions have also extended beyond boxing, with Matchroom exploring concerts and cross-entertainment ventures to maximise the long-term impact of a partnership.
Joshua appeared to give blood as part of the process, later posting a photo with Hearn that showed a plaster on the inside of his arm (pictured above)
Keeping the banter going, AJ doubled down on his earlier quip about UKAD ‘seeing his muscles’ by uploading a video of himself rattling out pull-ups by the pool after dinner
‘Hosting an AJ fight in Ghana is a very realistic opportunity if the Jake Paul fight doesn’t happen next,’ Smith told Daily Mail Sport. ‘We looked at stadium options and logistics. From what we’ve seen, we could pack out 50–60,000 including the pitch at Accra Sports Stadium.’
The Matchroom CEO went on to add: ‘This isn’t only about AJ. It’s about a long-term partnership to grow boxing in Ghana, Nigeria and across Africa – something that outlives his career.’
While Smith insists no opponent has been identified for a Joshua’s potential fight in Ghana, French heavyweight Tony Yoka has sought to insert himself into the frame.
In an interview with L’Equipe last month, Yoka said a fight with Joshua on African soil was ’90 per cent done’ and that Matchroom were flying to Ghana to inspect facilities and secure a venue.
However, Smith dismissed those claims, stressing that Matchroom has not begun opponent discussions and insisted they are prioritising the logistics of an African fight night first.
‘We haven’t really even looked at opponents,’ he said. ‘Taking AJ to Ghana is about putting on a huge event and a moment that lives on. He could fight anyone there and it’d be massive.’
Meanwhile, the former two-time champion has also reignited his rivalry with Tyson Fury, who announced his retirement in January after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua could finally realise his long-stated ambition to fight in Africa after Matchroom CEO Frank Smith (pictured left) flew to Ghana to hold exploratory meetings in Accra
Hearn has said that AJ would likely take a tune-up fight before facing Tyson Fury
The Gypsy King has since hinted at a comeback but Hearn is confident that both men will take tune-up bouts before finally colliding in a long-awaited all-British blockbuster.
Hearn added: ‘When AJ posts something like that [at Fury], you know he’s serious. The next step is to lock in a fight for early 2026 – then we want Tyson Fury.’ He went on to add: ‘This is a comeback fight that should carry some danger. We’re ready to roll the dice in a massive fight after that.’
