LONDON – The dust has barely settled from their explosive Wembley showdown, and IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is already advising Anthony Joshua to hang up his gloves. The call for Joshua to retire comes after Dubois delivered a brutal fifth-round knockout to the former unified champion, handing Joshua his fourth career defeat.
Speaking frankly to Seconds Out, Dubois didn’t pull any punches with his assessment of his rival’s future. “Does he want some more? He should retire in my opinion,” Dubois stated unequivocally. The decisive loss has inevitably fueled intense speculation about whether the 35-year-old Olympic gold medallist from Watford has reached the end of his illustrious professional boxing career. Despite the growing chorus suggesting Joshua to retire, the man himself seems to have other plans.
Joshua Plots Saudi Comeback, Dismissing Retirement Talk
Despite calls for him to step away – from fans, pundits, and now his conqueror Dubois – Anthony Joshua appears determined to fight on. Following successful elbow surgery back in May 2024, Joshua is reportedly lining up a December comeback, potentially under the dazzling lights of Saudi Arabia’s high-profile Riyadh Season.
“We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season,” his promoter Eddie Hearn let slip to Boxing Scene. “We want to box sometime this year—October, November, December.” This clear statement of intent suggests that thoughts of Joshua to retire are far from his mind.
However, a rematch with Dubois looks complicated. Dubois faces a formidable challenge against Oleksandr Usyk on July 19. A win there could see him tied up with a mandatory challenger, possibly Joseph Parker, pushing a Joshua sequel further down the line.
Fury’s Silence, Joshua’s Next Move
As Team Joshua keenly watches the outcome of Dubois-Usyk, they’re also keeping an eye on the ever-unpredictable Tyson Fury, who continues to insist he’s enjoying retirement. “I’m in no rush at all to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. I am retired and I am staying retired,” Fury declared in a recent video. Should both Dubois and Fury remain off the table, Hearn confirmed Joshua isn’t short of options: “We’ll see what happens… if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight someone else.” This again signals that the prospect of Joshua to retire is not an immediate consideration for his camp.
Regardless of the uncertainties within the ropes, Joshua’s financial power remains undeniable. His net worth has reportedly climbed to an impressive €232 million, a figure that outstrips even England football captain Harry Kane and his boxing rival Tyson Fury.
By kayode Ojo
