As Anthony Joshua prepares for his ring return, those in the sport are discussing the consequences of a loss.
‘AJ’ lost his unified world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, and a second defeat to the Ukrainian left the Brit out of the title picture and facing a fight back to the top of the division.
With a new trainer in his corner and an opponent lined up in Jermaine Franklin, 2023 might just prove to be the most important of the Olympic Gold Medalist’s career.
So vital is a victory over Franklin that ‘AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently said his career was essentially over with should the fight play out any other way.
Frank Warren – who promotes Joshua’s domestic rivals in Tyson Fury, Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois – was asked by Pro Boxing Fans whether or not he agreed with Hearn’s statement. After his thoughts on that, he said that there were better match ups out there.
“If he loses, I think that’ll be the case. There’s no doubt about that.
What do I think? I’d have much rather him facing either Joe Joyce or Daniel Dubois. Great fight for the public. Easy to make.”
Of course, Warren will be referring to ‘AJ’s career at the very top level of the division, and it’s something many in the sport agree with.
Two consecutive losses to Usyk – the man who may just go on to become undisputed champion – is hardly anything to retire over, but it’s the general consensus that ‘AJ’ must prove his worth with a dominant win over Franklin.
The America is best known to UK fans for his latest fight with Dillian Whyte – one which he lost on the cards but many felt he had done enough to win. Despite that better-than-expected performance, his record says that he shouldn’t trouble ‘AJ’ too much.
A defeat, whilst unlikely, would indeed spell big trouble for the superstar.