Anthony Joshua refuses to retire: “It’s not over yet”

Anthony Joshua posted a short video clip on social media today saying he is not retiring and has “much more to give” to boxing. However, Joshua (28-4, 23 KOs) did not mention whether he will take the rematch with IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois to avenge his fifth-round knockout loss from last Saturday night.

(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Since Joshua has not said anything about a rematch, it appears that he will go in a different direction. When Joshua first fought Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr. lost, he immediately said he wanted to try to avenge the defeats. This time nothing like that comes out of AJ’s mouth.

Joshua, 34, must know as he was battered and battered by the younger fighter, Dubois, in front of more than 98,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, that he will be destroyed in a rematch.

The fight ended with Dubois knocking Joshua out with a counter right hand in the fifth, leaving him in a heap on the canvas. Moments before that, Joshua rushed to the crowd and stuck out his tongue as if to say, ‘It’s easy work.’ Things quickly soured for AJ.

“It is far from over. I know we still have a lot to bring to the game,” Joshua said on social media in his short video clip. “Doing it a third time (winning the heavyweight title) is something I believe I can achieve.”

Joshua could become a three-division world champion once the three titles are fragmented after unified champion Oleksandr Usyk retires, but that’s the only way. AJ has already lost twice to Usyk, and it’s clear that he has his number.

With Eddie Hearn pulling the strings, Joshua could finally win a third heavyweight title, but only because of the maneuvering done by his slick promoter. Hearn helped Joshua win his first world title, bringing IBF champion Charles Martin to London, England in April 2016. Eventually, Usyk will release one of the belts after he retires, and Joshua can go after it.

Ideally, Joshua should go for the money fight against Tyson Fury in early 2025 and forget about Dubois forever. He is too young, powerful and robust for him to ever beat him. Dubois is too much for AJ to handle, and a rematch would be a disaster for the aging former two-time heavyweight champion.

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— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) September 23, 2024