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Anthony Joshua’s career may have stalled in the last few years, but the British heavyweight boxer will shortly get another chance at a world title. Since his initial defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, AJ has struggled to get back to the top and some thought he was heading to an early retirement.
While there has been continued talk over a long awaited showdown with fellow Brit Tyson Fury, Joshua is now set to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF crown, but could the fight potentially rank among Anthony Joshua’s finest?
Dates for the Diary
IBF Champion Dubois will take on Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21st. The 26-year-old Englishman had been the interim title holder, but was elevated to full status when Usyk vacated the seat earlier this year.
With 21 wins from his 23 professional fights, Daniel Dubois should be a tough opponent, but Anthony Joshua is the clear favourite. Early betting markets put AJ some way in front, with Dubois considered to be the rank outsider.
AJ’s record shows 28 wins from 31 fights, but two of those losses have been recent. If he can justify his position as the favourite, it will complete a remarkable comeback over a long career which has featured some incredible battles.
2017: Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko
Anthony Joshua had a perfect record of 19 straight professional wins when he prepared to face Wladimir Klitschko, but this was to be his toughest test yet. His opponent, a 41-year-old veteran of the ring was defending a record of 64 wins and four losses.
Klitschko was a marginal favourite, but the younger man prevailed, in a tight contest. Both men gave it everything they could, and that’s why many feel this is AJ’s most memorable fight. Eventually, a flurry of punches saw Joshua declared the winner via technical knockout in round eleven. The win saw him retain his IBF title, while taking the vacant WBA crown at the same time.
2016: Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin
It’s worth remembering the fight that earned Anthony Joshua his first ever world title. On April 9th, 2016, he came up against the defending IBF champion, American Charles Martin. Both men were undefeated, but Martin’s greater experience was supposed to be a telling factor.
At the very least, Joshua looked set for a tough night, but he stunned his opponent, and the boxing world with a devastating second round knockout. The defending champion hit the canvas twice, and while some say that Martin put in a lackluster performance, AJ’s quality was the key factor.
2019: Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr.
Anthony Joshua’s first professional defeat was a shock loss to Andy Ruiz in June 2019. The Mexican had only agreed to the fight as a late replacement, and came in as a rank underdog.
AJ’s 100% record had gone, but all thoughts quickly turned to a rematch. The two boxers stepped back into the ring on December 7th, 2019. Joshua remained the favourite, but Ruiz’s earlier performance left the fight in the balance.
The British boxer fought a more intelligent battle, staying away from his opponent’s dangerous punches. While there was no trademark AJ knockout, the discipline he showed in taking the contest on a unanimous decision makes this one of his best ever fights.
2022: Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2
The first fight between these brilliant heavyweights would have made it onto this list, but the rematch was so much better. Out for revenge, Joshua took Usyk all the way, and only went down via a split decision.
AJ’s stats were a big improvement on the initial contest, and one judge scored the fight 115-113 in his favour. It was tight, but Usyk earned the vote of the remaining two judges and regained his titles by the narrowest of margins.
2018: Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin
Anthony Joshua was at the peak of his powers when he took on Alexander Povetkin. The Russian was a former world champion and had never been stopped in his career. It was expected that AJ was in for a tough night, but the British boxer dominated from the first bell.
Povetkin hung on, but couldn’t get past the seventh round, when a series of head shots put him to the canvas. There are many great fights on this list, but the contest against Povetkin in 2018 showed Joshua at his brutal best.
While most pundits expect Anthony Joshua to regain his title at Wembley in September, some are predicting an upset. Daniel Dubois’ former sparring partner Johnny Fisher has warned that the severity of his punches could prove to be AJ’s downfall.
At the very least, the upcoming showdown could be closer than many are suggesting, so could Joshua v Dubois be added to this list of incredible boxing battles?
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