Anthony Joshua recently suffered the fourth defeat of his career and by far the most bruising. As such, his stock has dropped in the sport.
The heavyweight superstar failed in his attempt to become a three-time world titleholder when new IBF Champion Daniel Dubois battered and knocked him out in five rounds.
Watching closely was one Zhilei Zhang, who has long called for a professional fight against ‘AJ’ after suffering defeat to him in the London 2012 Olympics.
‘Big Bang’ – who is coming off a knockout win over Deontay Wilder – has for years said Joshua is avoiding him but continued to push to make the bout happen. Speaking to Seconds Out in the wake of the Dubois loss, he is now off the idea.
“I’ve been saying for years I want to test his chin, I want to test his chin. Dubois did the job for me. I saw the result and right now I don’t want to test him anymore. He’s gonna do everything he can to avoid me.”
When put it to him that 45% of a poll of boxing fans said Joshua should now consider retirement, Zhang added himself to that pool.
“My first reaction was I was with 45% of your audience. That’s the way to go. If you’re going to the rematch like that I just don’t think it’s a good thing. I think it’s a career-ending rematch if he takes that route. Maybe he can fight Deontay Wilder. But I really don’t know. It’s a question only he can answer based on his own experience.”
While Joshua weighs up his options, the most likely considered to be the immediate rematch, Zhang is looking to avenge a loss of his own against Joseph Parker.
