Brook Says Joshua Has A Weak Chin

Kell Brook said Anthony Joshua has a weak chin following his knockout loss against Daniel Dubois.

Joshua was dropped four times before Dubois stopped him in the fifth round to retain his IBF Heavyweight Title. Immediately, from the off, Joshua looked uncertain. He was sent to the canvas in the first round, as he never recovered from that knockdown. The performance was reminiscent of when Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 on his American debut at Madison Square Garden. Heading into the fight, the pressure was on Joshua.

He was eying an undisputed fight with Deontay Wilder. Joshua was a massive favorite, with Ruiz given very little chance, especially since he took the fight on short notice. After having dropped Ruiz in the fight, Joshua went for the finish. But in doing so, he got tagged before he was eventually stopped. A similar thing happened against Dubois in the fifth round. Joshua landed consecutive right hands on Dubois, pushing him back as there was a feeling that Joshua was now making his way back into the bout. 

But as he stepped further forward, going for the finish, he missed with an uppercut, leaving himself wide open. That is when Dubois countered with a right hand to end proceedings. This created the narrative that Joshua never recovered from the Ruiz loss. It has also created the perception that he has a weak chin. And in the heavyweight division, one punch can change a fight. And given that Joshua has now come up short, there are questions over whether he should continue fighting. Brook felt that his tendency to have a weak chin would work against him at the elite level. 

Brook On Joshua

“I do think he’s a bit chinny. I know it’s heavyweight boxing, but he doesn’t seem to be able to hold a shot very well. It’s very noticeable. You can see it in his body. His legs go, and everything else. You can still see it. I do think he’s a bit chinny. I think he needs to regroup and come back with a vengeance because if that was me, I’d be devastated. I’d be doing everything in my power to right that wrong and turn it around. He left his chin exposed. I don’t think he boxed very well,” Brook said 

Joshua’s Future

Nevertheless, Joshua stated that he would continue fighting. There is the Tyson Fury fight, which will earn him a huge amount of money. The Saudis have indicated that they want to make the fight, regardless of how Joshua and Fury’s results . Fury will rematch Oleksandr Usyk on December 21. He lost the first fight by a split decision and missed out on becoming the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. Another Fury loss against Usyk may jeopardize the Joshua fight. Fury’s brother, Shane Fury, has already stated that he wants him to retire, regardless of the Usyk result. 

A win for Fury over Usyk ends his career on a high. Meanwhile, by facing Joshua, there is always a risk that he could come up short. There is no pressing need for Joshua or Fury to take that fight, given that they have already secured their financial future. But given the demand to see it, fans would want it to happen. They had previously signed for the fight. However, Fury pulled out because Deontay Wilder won an arbitration case, meaning the Gypsy King had to take the Wilder rematch instead. But if Joshua desires to win against the big hitters, he must ensure his chin stays strong.

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