Eddie Hearn, promoter of Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has revealed that the former champion may be nearing the end of his boxing career, with only one to three fights left before retirement.
Hearn’s comments follow Joshua’s recent defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, where the former champion was knocked down four times and ultimately knocked out in the fifth round.
The loss allowed Dubois to retain his IBF world heavyweight title in front of a crowd of 98,000 spectators.
In an interview with Charlie Parson of The Stomping Ground, Hearn discussed the current state of Joshua’s career, acknowledging that the end may be closer than expected.
“I said to AJ on the phone you’ve probably got between one and three fights left. Then it went a bit quiet. He kind of realised, blimey, we’re on the home straight. We are,” Hearn shared.
Despite the defeat, Joshua’s camp has confirmed the existence of a rematch clause, indicating that the former champion could seek redemption in a second bout against Dubois.
However, given the one-sided nature of their previous fight, Joshua may explore other opportunities to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division.
One potential option is a long-anticipated matchup against Tyson Fury. Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch this December, and should he emerge victorious, a voluntary defence against Joshua could set the stage for a showdown between the two British heavyweights.
Another possibility is a fight with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who has expressed interest in returning to the ring.
A clash between Joshua and Wilder could be an attractive option for both fighters, especially as they both look to re-establish themselves in the heavyweight division.
Ultimately, Joshua’s next fight—whether it’s a rematch with Dubois or a bout against another top heavyweight—will likely determine the trajectory of his final push for a unified heavyweight championship before retirement.