After suffering a devastating blow to his heavyweight dominance with back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, British boxing sensation Anthony Joshua has been on a relentless quest to reclaim his throne. 2024 proved to be a pivotal year in AJ’s comeback journey, as he secured impressive victories over the likes of Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and the formidable Francis Ngannou.
However, it was Joshua’s last outing against Ngannou in March that truly captivated the attention of fight fans worldwide. In a stark contrast to Tyson Fury’s controversial split-decision win over the MMA star, Joshua delivered a brutal knockout, dispatching Ngannou in just two rounds and solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
The aftermath of this explosive performance has sparked intense speculation about Joshua’s potential future in the world of mixed martial arts. A recent training video, showcasing the British boxer throwing some impressive head kicks on the pads, has fueled the debate among fight fans, with many suggesting that a rematch with Ngannou in an MMA bout could be on the cards.
One fan exclaimed, “Rematch with Ngannou but MMA this time,” while another added, “AJ is probably the only heavyweight that could compete in MMA, maybe Dubois as well.” However, not everyone is convinced that Joshua should venture into the cage, with one commentator dismissing the idea, stating, “People thinking AJ is gonna jump in the cage just because he throws a s**** kick in the gym are mad. Small brains working overtime.”
Despite the mixed reactions, one prominent figure in the MMA community has lent his support to the idea of Joshua crossing over into the world of mixed martial arts. Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, the former UFC flyweight champion, believes that AJ has what it takes to beat Ngannou in an MMA fight.
“Does Anthony Joshua beat Francis Ngannou in an MMA fight? I think he does and here’s the reason why — I think it would just be another striking match,” Johnson explained. “AJ understands his distance. He has better hands than Francis and he can make make Francis whiff and miss again. Unless Francis is going to change his tactics and clinch him and wrestle him… But AJ is very athletic. He is smaller and more limber. I think he’d be able to stuff the shot and give it to Francis Ngannou.”
While the prospect of Joshua making the transition to MMA has generated significant interest, the more likely path for the British boxer appears to be a showdown at Wembley Stadium in September against the winner of the upcoming bout between Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic. This heavyweight clash has the potential to be a thrilling encounter, as both Dubois and Hrgovic have established themselves as formidable contenders in the division.
Anthony Joshua trying out some kicking in training today…
[🎥 @AnthonyJoshua] pic.twitter.com/73FuoFk5We
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 8, 2024
Dubois, who has been on a impressive run since his sole professional loss to Joe Joyce, has been steadily climbing the ranks and establishing himself as a serious threat to the heavyweight crown. Meanwhile, Hrgovic, the hard-hitting Croatian, has been making waves with his dominant performances and is poised to challenge for a world title.
The victor of this hotly anticipated clash will undoubtedly face a daunting challenge in the form of Anthony Joshua, who has proven time and time again that he possesses the s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, power, and determination to overcome even the most formidable opponents. With his sights firmly set on regaining his heavyweight titles, AJ will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming months.
As the boxing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in Anthony Joshua’s remarkable career, the debate surrounding his potential foray into the world of MMA continues to simmer. While the idea of seeing the British superstar compete in the cage against the likes of Francis Ngannou has captured the imagination of many fans, it remains to be seen whether Joshua will ultimately heed the call to cross over and test his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s in the unpredictable realm of mixed martial arts.
Whatever route Anthony Joshua decides to take, one thing is for sure: his return has been nothing short of spectacular. The former heavyweight champion has once again established himself as a major player in the combat sports industry, thanks to his commanding performances against Helenius, Wallin, and Ngannou as well as the continuous rumors regarding his future. bout fans can be confident that Anthony Joshua will continue to wow and excite spectators all around the world as he gets ready for his next challenge, which may be a high-stakes bout at Wembley or a possible entry into the mixed martial arts scene.
