It seemed like the perfect moment for an all-British showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, but with Fury now retired, Joshua is looking elsewhere for his next opponent.
The boxing world had been buzzing about a potential match-up this year, but Fury’s surprise decision to retire last month has completely shifted the focus.
Fury’s Retirement Leaves Joshua Searching for a New Challenge
Just weeks after his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Tyson Fury stunned fans by announcing his retirement.
This unexpected move has left Anthony Joshua in need of a new rival as he aims to reclaim his heavyweight title.
Fury’s retirement has effectively dashed hopes of an all-British clash in 2025, forcing Joshua to adjust his sights.
Joshua’s Next Move: Keeping an Eye on Dubois vs. Parker
Now, with Fury out of the picture, Joshua is looking at other potential challengers.
One of the key events to watch is Daniel Dubois’ IBF title defense against Joseph Parker, set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, who was knocked out by Dubois in their last encounter back in September, may set his sights on the winner of that fight in a bid to secure his third heavyweight crown.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, spoke about the situation, making it clear that Joshua’s main goal right now is to pursue a world heavyweight title.
“With Tyson Fury retired, AJ’s focus is on fighting for the world title,” Hearn explained.
“If that’s Dubois or Parker, no problem. If AJ says that’s the fight, then it’s done.”
Hearn Stands Firm on Joshua’s Fighting Spirit
Hearn also pushed back against critics who might question Joshua’s decision to pursue a fight with Dubois, noting that the heavyweight division is competitive, and Joshua is fully committed to his job.
“Some people say he shouldn’t have fought Oleksandr Usyk.
But what are you supposed to do? Give up your belt and face criticism for ducking Usyk?” he added.
“You fight who’s in front of you.”
The Prospect of Retirement: Hearn Weighs In on Joshua’s Future
While there’s been speculation that Joshua could eventually join Fury in retirement, Hearn isn’t convinced that’s going to happen anytime soon.
He acknowledged that retirement talks would likely arise if Joshua’s performance began to slip, particularly in training.
“There will come a time when we have those conversations, but not yet,” Hearn shared.
“If you’re in camp and things aren’t going well, it becomes obvious.
You start getting hurt in sparring, and you’re not as sharp as you used to be.
That’s when you know it’s time to think about the future.”
Reflecting on Joshua’s past camp before his fight with Dubois, Hearn said everything was on track. “The camp for Dubois went great.
He was sharp, and we were confident going into the fight,” he explained.
However, after a rocky start in the ring and a knockout loss, Hearn acknowledged that such defeats are part of the sport.
“If things had gone poorly in camp and we had doubts, that’s when the conversation about retirement might come earlier,” Hearn added.
For now, though, Joshua remains focused on continuing his career and chasing that third heavyweight title.