Anthony Joshua, the former two-time heavyweight champion, has faced some of the toughest opponents in boxing, including Daniel Dubois, Andy Ruiz, and Oleksandr Usyk.
While these fighters have all left their mark on Joshua’s career, he recently disclosed that they are not the hardest punchers he has encountered.
Joshua and Klitschko shared a heavyweight epic, and remain friends to this day.
Joshua’s career has seen its share of ups and downs. He has been defeated by Dubois, Ruiz, and Usyk, each of whom has played a significant role in shaping his journey in the heavyweight division. Notably, Ruiz floored Joshua four times during their first encounter in 2019 at Madison Square Garden, ultimately stopping him and handing AJ his first professional loss. Similarly, Usyk showcased his superior boxing s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, outlanding Joshua to secure a unanimous decision victory in their first bout.
Despite these formidable challengers, Joshua insists that the hardest punch he has taken came from none other than Wladimir Klitschko during their epic clash in 2017. The fight is remembered as a classic heavyweight showdown, filled with dramatic exchanges and resilience from both fighters.
The Klitschko Experience
When asked on the Pound For Pound Podcast about who hit him the hardest, Joshua reflected, “Yeah, Klitschko.” He elaborated on his experience facing the legendary Ukrainian: “I was gonna say Ruiz, but when he hit me that was like a concussion on the back of my head. When I went in with Klitschko, yeah, I just knew this could go two ways. I could either win or I’m gonna be laid out on my back. You know when you get carried out on a stretcher?”
Ruiz knocked AJ down more times, but he still said Klitschko hit harder.
The intensity of the Klitschko fight was palpable, with both fighters exchanging knockdowns. Joshua managed to stop Klitschko in the eleventh round, but not before experiencing the full force of his punches. He recounted the moment Klitschko landed a devastating right hand that put him down, saying, “It was the 15 that came after that as well. This guy’s a beast, he’s a beast.”
Reflections on Other Opponents
Following his rematch victory against Ruiz, Joshua continued to build his legacy by knocking out Kubrat Pulev. Yet, he faced further challenges, losing to Usyk twice. Although Usyk is known for his technical prowess and boxing IQ, Joshua noted that he did not consider him the hardest puncher he faced, as Usyk did not knock him down or out in their encounters.
Anthony Joshua’s reflections on his boxing career reveal the complexities of facing elite heavyweights. While he acknowledges the impact that fighters like Ruiz and Usyk have had on his journey, it is the legendary Wladimir Klitschko who stands out as the hardest puncher he has encountered. As Joshua continues to train and prepare for future bouts, his experiences in the ring serve as a testament to his resilience and determination in the ever-challenging world of heavyweight boxing.
