Coach Tony Sims points out that Anthony Joshua’s recent setback in his loss to Daniel Dubois is a sign that he is getting old, as all fighters will sooner or later if they stay loyal to the sport.
Fit together carefully
Joshua can still win if he is carefully matched, as his promoter Eddie Hearn had done for him recently until his knockout loss to Dubois. AJ still has enough left to beat Tyson Fury next and move on, but that would require Hearn to pit him against non-punchers.
The 35-year-old Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) suffered his fourth career loss when he lost in the fifth round to IBF heavyweight champion Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) in front of a large crowd on September 21st ) lost by 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London.
Joshua had looked good in his four previous fights against up-and-coming opponents, but was defeated against Dubois and was dropped four times in the fight.
It looked at times as if the referee would stop the fight in the fourth round after Joshua was dropped, but he appeared to change his mind when he saw AJ get up. Many felt the fight should have been stopped.
“He had a fantastic career but everyone gets old. There are always young people coming through and Daniel Dubois was that young man coming through,” Tony Sims said Secondsout, I’m talking about Anthony Joshua. “There will be a day when he is Joshua’s age (34) and there will be someone else and that is how boxing evolves.”
“The great champions age and the young ones come through. It’s a part of history that happens. I think that’s what happened. Joshua had a great career. What he has done for our sport is amazing. He built stadiums, huge stadiums, and filled the O2 arenas. He brought boxing to the forefront in Britain.
“It’s a short career. One minute you’re the young guy in the gym and the next minute you’re the oldest guy in the gym, and it happens that fast. I believed that was what happened. Everyone moves on, and now it’s Dubois’ time. One day it will be another youth’s time. Maybe Moses Itauma will put it on the table when it’s his time. It’s just age, and that’s exactly what happens.
Joshua only lost to these three fighters:
–Andy Ruiz
– Oleksandr Usyk x 2
– Daniel Dubois
It’s not like Joshua has lost to too many different fighters throughout his career, and he still has the power, speed and skills to win for another decade.
What’s next for Joshua?
“He is a very, very rich man, perhaps one of the richest to come from these shores. He doesn’t have to fight, but if he does, he’ll be looking at Tyson Fury,” Sims said.
Organizers are already talking about Joshua facing Tyson Fury next and there’s a good chance we’ll see that too. Joshua has decided not to pursue a rematch with Daniel Dubois and he will not risk facing Oleksandr Usyk again after losing to him twice. Other than Fury, there are no other exciting fights for him in the division that fans want to see AJ.
