Former heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, has been handed a mandatory 28-day medical suspension from boxing following his recent defeat to Daniel Dubois.
The suspension, issued by the British Boxing Board of Control, comes after Joshua suffered a dramatic knockout at Wembley Stadium last Saturday.
It is standard protocol for boxers who have lost via knockout or technical knockout to be given a temporary ban to ensure proper recovery.
Joshua, who was knocked down three times during the bout, was ultimately finished by Dubois in the fifth round with a powerful right hand.
This marks the fourth loss in Joshua’s career, which also includes a stunning upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, followed by back-to-back defeats at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
The suspension is not expected to significantly impact Joshua’s career in the immediate future, as no upcoming fights have been confirmed.
However, his latest defeat has fueled intense speculation about his next move in the sport. Opinions are divided, with some questioning whether Joshua still has the drive to continue.
A former world champion himself, Carl Froch, did not mince words when discussing Joshua’s performance on his YouTube channel. As cited by Wales Online via the ‘Mirror’, Froch bluntly remarked, “Anthony Joshua got absolutely battered from pillar to post. He lacked ambition, he lacked self-belief and confidence. His powers of recovery are terrible, he looked exhausted. I question Anthony Joshua’s desire to be in that boxing ring anymore. I don’t think AJ wants it anymore, he shouldn’t be boxing. That performance was weak.”
On the other hand, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing remains more optimistic about Joshua’s prospects. Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn outlined several possible routes for Joshua’s career, including a potential rematch with Dubois or a much-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury. He commented, “If Fury was to lose, maybe they [AJ and Fury] both say, ‘Right, let’s give the public one last hurrah, two big fights, done.'”
Alternatively, Hearn suggested the possibility of Joshua facing Fury for the unified world heavyweight title if Fury triumphs in his upcoming bout with Usyk. “AJ could beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion,” Hearn mused, adding that other possibilities include a fight against Deontay Wilder or rematching Dubois. “But for me, the options are rematch Daniel Dubois or wait and see what happens in Fury against Usyk.”
Despite the defeat, Joshua appears determined to bounce back. In a heartfelt video posted on social media, he acknowledged the setback while focusing on the positives.
“We came up short but we’ve got to look at all the positives,” Joshua said. “That’s the mindset and that’s the perspective we’ve got to have; a positive one always. Look at what we’ve achieved in the last 11 years, it’s phenomenal, and I want to thank every single one of you who has been riding with me.”
Joshua emphasized his commitment to continue pushing forward, stating, “What a rollercoaster journey, but you know what the problem is, it’s far from over yet. We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, and doing it a third time hasn’t been easy but it’s something I can achieve. It’s about making the right steps forward, working hard and improving. It’s got to come from the heart more than anything. It can’t come from any external voices or influences; it’s got to come from the heart.”
The British boxer concluded with gratitude for his supporters, saying, “Thanks for your support, thanks for being on this rollercoaster journey with me. Keep your seatbelt tight because deep, deep, deep down in here I know I’ve got a lot more to bring to the game and long may it continue.”
Joshua’s message makes it clear that while he may be down, he is far from out, and fans can expect him to return to the ring with renewed determination.
Whether that return involves a rematch with Dubois, a clash with Fury, or another high-stakes bout remains to be seen.
