Former four-weight world champion, Roy Jones Jr, has warned Anthony Joshua to stay away from one fight as he makes his comeback following two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
‘AJ’ lost his unified heavyweight titles in 2021, and was unsuccessful in avenging that loss a year later. It means the former champion is now looking to climb the ladder back to the top where he might challenge to become a three-time belt holder.
Whilst he searches for a new training set up to guide him through the next stage of his career, talk has turned to who he should face when he returns to the ring in early 2023.
One man in the mix is Deontay Wilder. The pair have been a part of unsuccessful negotiations in the past, and now seem more keen than ever to face off.
Jones, who was rumoured to be in the hat for the coaching position not long ago, told iD Boxing that the Brit needs a win before stepping in with Wilder.
“He can’t go into a Deontay Wilder fight after losing two fights to Usyk. That doesn’t make any sense at all. Now if you find someone who isn’t quite the puncher that Wilder is, get yourself back and back to winning.
Then, you can get comfortable to the adjustments that your new trainer will make you make. Once you get comfortable with those adjustments then you fight Wilder because hopefully those adjustments have made you better and you’ve got confidence then you can get in the ring with Wilder because you probably can beat Wilder.
Wilder is a phenomenal heavyweight; Wilder is one the hardest punching heavyweights in fighting right now. Against Wilder, you’ve got to be mistake-proof, you make a mistake with Wilder, and it could be over.”
As suggested by the hall-of-famer, it is believed that, should an AJ – Wilder fight happen, it will be towards the end of 2023 or even into 2024.
A more likely name for Joshua at this stage is Otto Wallin, and it’s said that the teams have been in talks. There’s also the potential of reigniting an old rivalry with Dillian Whyte.