Anthony Joshua is perhaps the most recognisable active heavyweight on the planet, his Olympic Gold medal and two-time world title winning campaign thrilling British boxing fans since 2012.
After a meteoric rise in the sport, Joshua was shocked in New York by Andy Ruiz Jr, losing his unified titles briefly before winning them back in a rematch.
It’s at that point fans recognised the Brit was far from invincible, and two losses to Oleksandr Usyk since have left him in comeback mode with plenty of heavyweights believing they have what it takes to beat him.
Speaking on The Porter Way Podcast earlier this year, one Riddick Bowe said that he would have dealt with Joshua in five rounds, and even offered to prove it for the right price.
“In my prime, Anthony Joshua, he wouldn’t fight. I’d break him off something proper. Five [rounds.] And I’ll tell you what, if you give me enough money I’ll come out of retirement and show you better than I can tell you. You know my motto is show me the money.”
Bowe was undisputed in the early nineties, a unanimous decision over Evander Holyfield his crowning moment. The result would be reversed in the rematch, with Holyfield solidifying his cruiserweight to heavyweight run in the history books.
It’s something that would be replicated three decades later by Usyk, the man who has handed Joshua two losses and put him firmly out of the title picture for the first time in a long time.
Following the loss to ‘The Real Deal’, Bowe racked up nine more wins before hanging up the gloves in 2008 with a record of 43-1. Now 56, his offer for the bout is tongue in cheek, but shows the clear confidence of a champion.
As for Joshua, he’s looking to secure a deal with another American in Deontay Wilder, although the emergence of Filip Hrgovic and a potential world title fight may have changed the plans.