Eddie Hearn has responded to a recent article which put forward the idea that Anthony Joshua should retire from boxing – and he is not best pleased.
Esteemed journalist Thomas Hauser published a piece in the Guardian this week entitled “The Bravest Thing Anthony Joshua Can Do Is Retire From Boxing,” where he made the case for Joshua hanging up the gloves, mentioning the chance of brain damage and using the example of Muhammad Ali, who took prolonged beatings against the likes of Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick in the latter stages of his career.
Speaking to Boxing Social about Hauser’s call for ‘AJ’ to retire, Hearn described the writer as a “disgrace” and claimed that he should be the one to call it quits on his profession.
“What a f***ing joke. I’m just gonna say it, Thomas Hauser needs to retire, he’s so far detached from reality. He doesn’t know Anthony Joshua – he’s hardly even had a conversation with him. Has he ever watched him in the gym or sat down and spoken to him?
I just find it absolutely bizarre that you can lose a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk, come back and win nearly every round against Jermaine Franklin and then it’s “you have to retire now.” What the f*** are these people talking about?
Thomas Hauser is a disgrace for writing that. Honestly I found that article disgusting.”
With Joshua potentially a matter of months away from the biggest purse of his life, it is unlikely he will heed Hauser’s advice and hang up the gloves just yet.
Skills Challenge Group are currently working to stage Joshua vs Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia this December, on an unprecedented card that would also feature Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Reports estimate that the total pot for the event could be north of £300 million and, with a chunk of that headed to Joshua’s bank account, retirement seems an unlikely option for now.