There are many people in the boxing world who think it is time for Anthony Joshua to retire.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion came unstuck in his latest tilt at a belt when he was stopped by IBF champion Daniel Dubois.
Joshua was slow to start and was caught heavy at the end of the first round. It was a punch from which he never really recovered, ultimately succumbing to a short right hadn’t after landing a few shots of his own in the fifth round.
It was only the 35-year-old’s second stoppage loss in 32 fights, the last one coming at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 at Madison Square Garden. He avenged that six months later with a tidy 12-round points win and is now hopeful he can do the same with Dubois.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Hall of Fame fighter Barry McGuigan said he thinks Joshua should walk before losing a rematch.
“I genuinely think it happens sooner in the rematch if Anthony has a rematch with Dubois. I think Dubious will knock him out earlier in the fight.”
McGuigan then had high praise for the former unified champion.
“Anthony is an incredible fighter, he’s had incredible success. I think he should get out with his faculties intact. He doesn’t need to fight any more, he can retire and have a lovely life.
“He’s doing himself an injustice by fighting again. There is only one fighter on the way up, and one on the way down. Dubois is a very dangerous fighter and he’s only getting better.”
Though an immediate rematch seemed likely, it now appears that ‘AJ’ will take a different route.
