Carl Froch has voiced his opinions on Anthony Joshua’s latest performance against Robert Helenius – and how his likely next fight against Deontay Wilder might play out.
Joshua recorded his first knockout victory in nearly three years when he dispatched of Helenius in the 7th round with a vicious right hand. Leading up to that moment, some felt ‘AJ’ looked tentative and gun-shy with boos even ringing around sections of the crowd.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘The Cobra’ didn’t hold back on his assessment of Joshua’s showing.
“You can have one or two rebuild fights, he’s changed his trainer he’s making an adjustment.
But he’s not rebuilding, he’s not learning on the job. He’s 33 years-old and he needs to be getting a move on with good performances and he’s not doing it and nobody saying it because they’re worried about who they’re going to upset, whether it be TV broadcaster or, whether it’s the promoter or whether it’s their friend. I don’t care, I’ve got to tell it how it is.”
If the Wilder fight is next for ‘AJ’, Froch predicts the American will knockout his fellow Brit.
“Let’s be honest, Anthony Joshua – do not face Deontay Wilder in your next fight because you will get absolutely knocked el sparko.”
Froch even went as far as to say the fight could be a ‘dangerous’ one for Joshua and he should keep ‘himself safe’.
“If you’re doing it for the money, take the money, fair enough, but keep yourself safe because this is a dangerous sport. I don’t know what’s happening with his training but your looking like a man who’s a novice pro who’s scared to throw punches and it’s not good enough.
Deontay Wilder will be watching that performance absolutely licking his lips. Don’t jump in with Deontay Wilder on the back of that performance because it was crap. It’s not good enough and it’s just dangerous. Wilder will come for you, he’ll be aggressive.”
Eddie Hearn confirmed that representatives from Saudi Arabia were in London for the fight and are hopeful of agreeing a deal for the blockbuster clash in the coming weeks.