Anthony Joshua finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career.
Once the dominant force in the heavyweight division, the former two-time world champion is now facing the possibility of another career-defining loss. If he is defeated in his next fight, the calls for his retirement will grow even louder. Many fans and pundits argue that he should bow out gracefully before his legacy takes any further damage. But is it really time for Joshua to hang up his gloves?
Lessons from the Past: The Risk of Becoming Another Chisora There is a growing concern among boxing fans that Joshua could follow the path of fighters like Dereck Chisora, who have continued to battle long past their prime. Chisora, once a top-tier contender, has become known for taking punishment rather than dishing it out. His slowed speech and declining reflexes serve as a cautionary tale. Fans who once cheered for AJ now fear that he, too, could become a shadow of himself, fighting just for the sake of paydays rather than meaningful victories.
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Joshua’s style relies on athleticism and explosiveness, and if those attributes start to fade, he could struggle to remain competitive at the elite level. Taking unnecessary damage in the ring could have lasting consequences, both physically and mentally. If Joshua is unable to defeat top-tier opponents convincingly, should he risk further damage just to prolong his career?
Promoter Eddie Hearn remains hopeful that Tyson Fury will be lured back into the ring for a pair of ‘Battle of Britain’ clashes with Joshua. However, Fury’s recent stance on retirement and his focus on fighting Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title suggest that a match with Joshua is unlikely in the near future. The unpredictability of Fury means that anything is possible, but waiting for a fight that may never happen could be detrimental to Joshua’s career. Even if the fight were to materialize, Joshua’s current form raises questions about his chances. Would he be competitive against a skilled and elusive fighter like Fury? Or would this be another brutal defeat that tarnishes his once-feared reputation?
If Joshua loses his next fight, retirement is one of the two most realistic options. The other is a complete reinvention of his approach to boxing. At 34 years old, he could attempt a late-career resurgence by changing trainers, adopting a new fighting style, or taking on lower-tier opponents to rebuild his confidence. Fighters like Wladimir Klitschko and George Foreman have managed to reinvent themselves and achieve success in the latter stages of their careers. However, Joshua has already switched trainers multiple times, and each transition has led to mixed results. If his latest coaching setup doesn’t bring the results he hopes for, another rebuild might seem futile. Additionally, the heavyweight division is as competitive as ever, with rising stars like Jared Anderson and established champions like Usyk and Fury standing in his way. Joshua must weigh his options carefully. A legacy built on Olympic glory, world championships, and sold-out arenas is at stake. If he can no longer perform at the highest level, stepping away with dignity might be the best decision. But if he believes he still has something left in the tank, then he must prove it in the ring-before it’s too late.
