Joshua Suffers Injury; Out Until The Summer
Anthony Joshua is currently out injured and unlikely to be back in action until the summer.
Eddie Hearn confirmed the news as speculation grows over Joshua’s future. The former Unified Heavyweight Champion was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in his last fight. The defeat meant Joshua failed to become a three-time world champion, as Dubois retained his IBF Heavyweight Belt.
There were talks over having an immediate rematch, which never came to fruition. Dubois decided to face Joseph Parker. However, those plans failed after Dubois withdrew from an illness. Parker faced Martin Bakole, beating him via a stoppage. Meanwhile, Dubois turned his focus on Usyk.
Joshua Vs. Fury
Joshua then turned his focus towards facing Tyson Fury. The Gypsy King had just suffered his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. However, he then stated he was retiring from the sport, leaving Joshua in a difficult position over his future. There is still hope that Fury will come out of retirement if the right amount of money is presented.
The Saudis have indicated their desire to make that fight. It has the potential to sell out in Saudi and the UK, giving boxing fans across the globe to the chance to see a mega event. Ricky Hatton, who is close to Fury, can see this happening. He knows Fury well, having helped him prepare for the first Deontay Wilder fight, which ended in a draw.
“I would take that retirement with a pinch of salt knowing Tyson. If he gets offered the right money, the right purse for the AJ fight, knowing Tyson as I do, I think he’d jump at it. I think Tyson will kick himself if he’s sat on his sofa 10 years down the line and thinks to himself: ‘I wonder what would have happened if I’d have fought AJ? He’s in a position to do something about now rather than be cursing himself for the rest of his life,” Hatton said
Hearn On Joshua
But Joshua is at the latter end of his career, with no title shot in sight. He has also earned plenty in his career to walk away from the sport without taking too much punishment. However, Joshua has said he wants to become a heavyweight champion again, meaning the Dubois rematch makes sense. But given that Dubois is targeting a fight against Usyk for undisputed, it has left Joshua with something to think about. The aim is to be back in the ring in the late summer.
“The top half of his body [is injured]. There you go, I’ll give you that. It’s nothing major. He’s been returning to training, but he’s not quite ready to turn back to camp. He needs another eight to ten weeks before he can punch properly. That’s it. You’re looking at April or May before he can start camp properly. It leads us to the back end of the summer [before Joshua can fight],” Hearn said
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