Following Anthony Joshua’s loss to Daniel Dubois, Bob Arum has cruelly informed him that his boxing career is ended.The 27-year-old domestic opponent stopped the Watford-born boxer in the fifth round of their match at Wembley, in front of 96,000 spectators, ending his hopes of becoming a three-time champion.
Dubois defeated his opponent four times in a stunning victory to maintain his IBF heavyweight title. Hall of fame promoter Arum, who has been in the sport for more than 70 years, believes Joshua has no chance of coming back and has recommended a new opponent for the Britishman.
Anthony Joshua has been ruthlessly informed by promoter Bob Arum that his boxing career is ended.
‘No, you don’t have an off night getting the s*** kicked out of you that way,’ the 92-year-old Top Rank CEO said to FightHub.
Joshua (left) failed in his quest to become a three-time champion after his loss to Daniel Dubois
Dubois retained his IBF heavyweight title with an impressive victory knockout at Wembley
‘I just think AJ has been through a lot of wars. And I think it’s over for him as well as over for Wilder.
‘Maybe they can fight each other, that’d be good.’
Joshua was adamant that he would not be retiring in the aftermath of the loss, and his promoter Eddie Hearn has already started drafting up a shortlist of opponents for his comeback to the ring. Hearn stated in an interview with iFLTV that a rematch with Dubois, Deontay Wilder, and Tyson Fury are all possibilities.
Hearn had originally said, during Saturday night’s in-ring interview, that Joshua had a rematch clause to meet Dubois once more. Wilder, a fighter who won the WBC belt from 2015 to 2020, has long been associated with a matchup with Joshua.Before Tyson Fury stripped Wilder of his title, Joshua and Wilder’s camp were unable to come to an agreement on conditions for an uncontested bout.
Arum believes Joshua and Deontay Wilder (pictured) would make a good matchup
Wilder has lost his last two bouts against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, and turns 39 next month, but is considering a return to the ring and a fight with Joshua could appeal.
If the fight happens, the winner could set their sights on one final crack at becoming a champion again, while the loser would likely sail off into the sunset.
