A Blunt Assessment from the Champion
Speaking to Seconds Out months after delivering the fourth defeat of Joshua's career, Dubois offered a terse assessment of his compatriot's future. "Does he want some more? He should retire in my opinion," stated the reigning IBF champion, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding his views on Joshua's path forward.
The devastating knockout has ignited a widespread debate among boxing fans and pundits alike, questioning whether the 35-year-old from Watford, whose professional journey began in 2013 following his 2012 Olympic gold medal, should now call time on his career.
Joshua's Determination to Fight On
Despite the growing chorus for retirement, Anthony Joshua appears resolute in his determination to continue fighting. Reports suggest he is inching closer to a ring return, with talks underway for a potential two-fight deal, possibly commencing later this year in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua has been out of action in 2024, recovering from successful elbow surgery in May. However, this downtime has been far from idle, as the former champion has been actively plotting his comeback behind the scenes. Earlier this month, he revealed to ESPN Mexico his ambition for a December return, contingent on his recovery. Momentum is now building around a potential collaboration with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season to stage his much-anticipated comeback.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, confirmed the ongoing discussions with Boxing Scene, stating, "We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season. Turki Alalshikh said that on the night of Canelo’s fight on May 3, when we had our meeting. And that’s the plan really, we want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.”
Potential Opponents and Future Outlook
While a direct rematch with Dubois remains a tantalizing prospect for many fans, the path is complicated. Dubois is currently preparing for a second encounter with former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium on July 19. Should Dubois emerge victorious against Usyk, he would be mandated to face Joseph Parker, the next in line for a shot at the IBF title. Whether Dubois would be willing to vacate a belt for a lucrative rematch with Joshua is a question that remains unanswered.
At the top of Joshua's long-standing wish list sits Tyson Fury. However, "The Gypsy King" has maintained his retirement stance since January, unequivocally stating, “I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? What would I return for? I’m in no rush at all to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. I am retired and I am staying retired.”
Hearn confirmed that Joshua's camp is closely monitoring the outcomes of the Dubois-Usyk clash and the uncertain future of Fury. "We’ll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we’ll see what happens with Fury,” Hearn remarked. “And if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight someone else, and then maybe follow one of those guys next year.”
Despite the setback against Dubois, Anthony Joshua's financial standing remains remarkably strong. According to the newly published Sunday Times Rich List, the British-Nigerian boxing star's net worth has soared to €232 million, placing him ahead of prominent figures like England football captain Harry Kane and even his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury. This robust financial position provides Joshua with the freedom and leverage to dictate his own terms as he contemplates the next chapter of his storied boxing career.