Eddie Hearn has disclosed Anthony Joshua’s response to his recent claim that the former heavyweight champion may have only one to three fights remaining in his career after his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
In a stunning display, Dubois retained his IBF world heavyweight title, knocking Joshua down four times before delivering a knockout in the fifth round in front of an audience of 98,000. The match marked a pivotal moment in Dubois’s career, while it raised significant concerns about Joshua’s future in the ring.
During an interview with Charlie Parson from The Stomping Ground, Hearn recounted a candid conversation he had with Joshua. He expressed his belief that the fighter might only have a limited number of bouts left. “I told AJ over the phone that he probably has between one and three fights remaining. After I said that, it got quiet. He realized we’re really on the home straight of his career,” Hearn explained.
Despite this sobering assessment, Hearn confirmed that there is a rematch clause in place, and Joshua is likely to activate it soon. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is reportedly eager for a rematch, but the one-sided nature of Saturday’s bout may lead Joshua to consider alternative routes back to title contention.
One possibility could involve a high-stakes match with Tyson Fury, who is set to face Oleksandr Usyk in December for a rematch. If Fury wins, he might be open to a voluntary defense against Joshua, finally settling their long-standing rivalry. Conversely, should Fury lose again to Usyk, both he and Joshua could find themselves outside the title picture and in a position to face each other in a bid to regain relevance.
Another fighter linked to Joshua is Deontay Wilder, who held the WBC title from 2015 to 2020. The two have never agreed on terms for a bout, but a fight between them could reignite interest in their careers, especially as Wilder considers a return to the ring after recent losses.
As both fighters seek redemption, a potential matchup could set the stage for a final shot at championship glory, while the loser may face the end of their boxing journey. The coming months will be critical for Joshua as he navigates the future of his career in the wake of this significant loss.
