Anthony Joshua’s profession might have stalled in the previous few years, however the British heavyweight boxer will shortly get one other probability at a world title. Since his preliminary defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, AJ has struggled to get again to the highest and a few thought he was heading to an early retirement.
Whereas there was continued speak over an extended awaited showdown with fellow Brit Tyson Fury, Joshua is now set to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF crown, however might the struggle doubtlessly rank amongst Anthony Joshua’s best?
Dates for the Diary
IBF Champion Dubois will tackle Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September twenty first. The 26-year-old Englishman had been the interim title holder, however was elevated to full standing when Usyk vacated the seat earlier this yr.
With 21 wins from his 23 skilled fights, Daniel Dubois ought to be a tricky opponent, however Anthony Joshua is the clear favorite. Early betting markets put AJ a way in entrance, with Dubois thought of to be the rank outsider.
AJ’s file reveals 28 wins from 31 fights, however two of these losses have been latest. If he can justify his place because the favorite, it should full a exceptional comeback over an extended profession which has featured some unbelievable battles.
2017: Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko
Anthony Joshua had an ideal file of 19 straight skilled wins when he ready to face Wladimir Klitschko, however this was to be his hardest check but. His opponent, a 41-year-old veteran of the ring was defending a file of 64 wins and 4 losses.
Klitschko was a marginal favorite, however the youthful man prevailed, in a decent contest. Each males gave it all the pieces they may, and that’s why many really feel that is AJ’s most memorable struggle. Finally, a flurry of punches noticed Joshua declared the winner by way of technical knockout in spherical eleven. The win noticed him retain his IBF title, whereas taking the vacant WBA crown on the similar time.
2016: Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin
It’s value remembering the struggle that earned Anthony Joshua his first ever world title. On April ninth, 2016, he got here up in opposition to the defending IBF champion, American Charles Martin. Each males had been undefeated, however Martin’s better expertise was presupposed to be a telling issue.
On the very least, Joshua seemed set for a tricky evening, however he surprised his opponent, and the boxing world with a devestating second spherical knockout. The defending champion hit the canvas twice, and whereas some say that Martin put in a lacklustre efficiency, AJ’s high quality was the important thing issue.
2019: Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr.
Anthony Joshua’s first skilled defeat was a shock loss to Andy Ruiz in June 2019. The Mexican had solely agreed to the struggle as a late substitute, and got here in as a rank underdog.
AJ’s 100% file had gone, however all ideas rapidly turned to a rematch. The 2 boxers stepped again into the ring on December seventh, 2019. Joshua remained the favorite, however Ruiz’s earlier efficiency left the struggle within the stability.
The British boxer fought a extra clever battle, staying away from his opponent’s harmful punches. Whereas there was no trademark AJ knockout, the self-discipline he confirmed in taking the competition on a unanimous decison makes this one in every of his greatest ever fights.
2022: Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2
The primary struggle between these good heavyweights would have made it onto this listing, however the rematch was so a lot better. Out for revenge, Joshua took Usyk all the way in which, and solely went down by way of a break up choice.
AJ’s stats had been an enormous enchancment on the preliminary contest, and one decide scored the struggle 115-113 in his favour. It was tight, however Usyk earned the vote of the remaining two judges and regained his titles by the narrowest of margins.
2018: Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin
Anthony Joshua was on the peak of his powers when he took on Alexander Povetkin. The Russian was a former world champion and had by no means been stopped in his profession. It was anticipated that AJ was in for a toughh evening, however the British boxer dominated from the primary bell.
Povetkin held on, however couldn’t get previous the seventh spherical, when a sequence of head pictures put him to the canvas. There are a lot of nice fights on this listing, however the contest in opposition to Povetkin in 2018 confirmed Joshua at his brutal greatest.
Whereas most pundits count on Anthony Joshua to regain his title at Wembley in September, some are predicting an upset. Daniel Dubois’ former sparring associate Johnny Fisher has warned that the severity of his punches might show to be AJ’s downall.
On the very least, the upcoming showdown might be nearer than many are suggesting, so might Joshua v Dubois be added to this listing of unbelievable boxing battles?
