The matchup between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois is one he cannot afford to miss. Eddie Hearn feels that for Joshua’s legacy, a rematch with Dubois is essential.

Following his catastrophic loss to Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua’s future step is the subject of much conjecture in the heavyweight boxing world.The two-time world champion is in a difficult place in his career as demands from supporters, sponsors, and his own sense of legacy grow.Longtime Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn thinks the British heavyweight will never forgive himself if he leaves the fight without exacting revenge on Dubois.

Anthony Joshua’s Future Hangs in the Balance: Dubois Rematch or Bust?

Joshua’s record still stands strong at 28-4 with 25 knockouts, but the sting of his most recent loss to Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) lingers. The fight saw Joshua hit the canvas four times, prompting many to question whether his best days are behind him. Hearn, however, seems to think Joshua’s fighting spirit won’t allow him to walk away without getting back in the ring with Dubois. A decision is expected soon, with Joshua likely to say, “Let’s run it back,” as Hearn predicts.

Because Joshua has other high-profile choices, such as a possible megafight versus Tyson Fury, this juncture is very important.The issue? Joshua and Fury might be coming off recent losses going into their matchup—Fury having already battled Oleksandr Usyk. Particularly on the international scene, a bout between two former champions fresh off losses runs the potential of becoming a side event with more show than substance.

Hearing, on the other hand, rejects the notion that Joshua needs to regain confidence by fighting in minor bouts against opponents like Dillian Whyte or Deontay Wilder.”He doesn’t need another rebuild,” Hearn said simply. The promoter maintains that Joshua’s four prior fights were sufficient to restart his career, but fans may have other ideas and beg for a knockout victory to give them hope for the former champion.

Joshua’s critics argue that facing Dubois again is a risky proposition. The younger, harder-hitting Dubois exposed weaknesses in Joshua’s game, particularly his punch resistance. At 35, which Joshua turns next week, facing a power puncher like Dubois could accelerate his decline. Nevertheless, Joshua’s team remains adamant that the rematch is winnable. “We believe we should’ve beaten Dubois,” Hearn said. “We can beat him.”

Joshua’s defining moment: Redemption or risk of irreparable damage?

The stakes of this decision are immense. If Joshua chooses the rematch and wins, he would become a three-time heavyweight champion, a feat that would reignite his career. A victory over Dubois would shift the narrative from doubt to redemption, proving Joshua still belongs among the elite in boxing. But if he loses again, the damage to his legacy could be irreparable.

For Joshua, the potential reward of reclaiming his title may outweigh the risks. Yet, as Hearn has admitted, marketing plays a significant role in these decisions. A couple of confidence-boosting fights against lower-tier opponents could restore some of Joshua’s aura, at least in the eyes of the public. “We ain’t got time for momentum,” Hearn remarked, underscoring that Joshua’s focus is squarely on titles, not tune-up fights.

DANIEL DUBOIS PUT ANTHONY JOSHUA TO SLEEP pic.twitter.com/S6cIKFoQvE

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 21, 2024

But the real question is whether Joshua’s mental and physical capabilities can handle the challenge. It wasn’t just strategy that cost him to Dubois; it was also durability. Joshua wasn’t necessarily a bad boxer; he was just unable to hold off Dubois’ might in the ring. Joshua will have to address that issue if there is a rematch, or history might repeat itself.

All eyes are on Joshua as the heavyweight class waits anxiously. Which will he pick, safety or redemption? It’s obvious that if he withdraws from the rematch, Joshua may never be able to move over the feeling that the fans lost out on him.