Anthony Joshua is well and truly back at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division and is looking better than ever, seeking to become boxing’s fifth three-time champion of the division next month. However, to be recognised as the greatest heavyweight on the planet, he must overcome his Kryptonite in Oleksandr Usyk – who has defeated him twice and the CEO of Matchroom has responded to critics who claim it cannot be done.
Joshua lost his unified heavyweight titles to the Ukrainian back in 2021 and the comeback trail has been an arduous one, losing the rematch and following up that disappointment with two underwhelming displays against both Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.
However, ‘AJ’ then made the decision to partner up with a new trainer in Ben Davison and has looked like a completely different fighter since, dispatching of both Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou with ease. Consequently, the Brit has found himself challenging for Daniel Dubois’ world title and it is thought that a shot at the undisputed throne could follow if he is successful.
Yet, on his YouTube channel, Carl Froch explained why he would not be interested in a third meeting between Joshua and Usyk, if they were both to be successful against Dubois and Tyson Fury respectively.
“I wouldn’t be that excited about seeing a third fight because Usyk beat him conclusively twice. AJ’s got Daniel Dubois next and he’s the favourite to win. The smart money would be on AJ, he has the experience and has been involved in more world title fights and I think that experience will help him massively against Dubois, but if Dubois goes for it and sticks it on him then he has a big chance.
“Usyk beats AJ in the third fight, he’s done him twice so he’ll do him a third time. That’s nothing against AJ, Usyk is just class and he’s so good in that ring I just can’t see him losing.
“Usyk will put a can of whoopa** on AJ. AJ can’t beat Usyk, he can’t beat him, it’s impossible unless he takes a bat in the ring.”
In response, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith clapped back with his belief that any top heavyweight can trump another on their day, when speaking to Boxing Social.
“Anthony Joshua is in the best position that he has been in since he has been professional, and I believe that he can beat him [Usyk]. I believe that they can all beat each other, I believe that Tyson Fury can go in there and beat Oleksandr Usyk, it is not a foregone conclusion. He was ahead after six/seven rounds, but Usyk found a way. Usyk had Fury more hurt than he ever had ‘AJ’, so you can sort of pull all of these comparisons out from all of these different fights.
“You look at the second fight and it was a much closer fight the second time around, when Anthony fought Usyk. They can all beat each other, that is why we love heavyweight boxing. So, I don’t really agree with that statement of Carl Froch, but then a lot of people don’t agree with a lot of statements of Carl Froch’s. I won’t be any different.”
Joshua-Dubois is scheduled to take place on September 21st at Wembley Stadium, where Joshua can extend his legacy further and potentially begin a third reign as champion.
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