Title: Anthony Joshua's Redemption Plan: Eyes Set on Boxing Dominance Again
Before 2019, Anthony Joshua, the 34-year-old British boxer, was renowned as the most formidable boxer globally. His undefeated record spoke volumes: 22 fights, 22 victories, with 21 of them being early knockouts.
However, since the spring of 2019, Joshua has been undergoing a career transformation, witnessing a shift in his brilliance and punching power. The once-invincible 'AJ' has had three different trainers in the past three years.
Aiming for Another Peak: Joshua's Plan of Attack
A significant event in boxing's calendar is approaching. On December 23, two heavyweight giants will step into the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The participants are Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, not for a one-on-one battle, but separately. Their opponents are Otto Wallin from Sweden and Joseph Parker from New Zealand, respectively.
The plan, ideally, is for both boxers to emerge victorious. This would pave the way for the highly anticipated clash between Joshua and Wilder. However, Joshua should remember, nothing is guaranteed in boxing.
Reflection of a Defeat
Following his unfortunate loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019, Joshua shared with "Men's Health" that his ego took a hit. He admitted: "Only after a defeat can you see whether you are mentally fit."
After his rematch victory, Joshua suffered two back-to-back defeats against the reigning world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in 2021 and 2022. Since then, Joshua has been on a quest to rediscover his form.
In 2023, Joshua managed to secure two victories against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, helping him salvage his career. However, these wins were not enough to ignite his former glory.
A Checkered Past
Joshua was born in Watford to a Nigerian mother and an English father. As a teenager, he abandoned school and pursued an apprenticeship as a bricklayer. His actions soon led him into trouble, including fights, arson, and drug dealing. At 18, he was introduced to boxing and eventually made it to the 2012 Olympics. In London, he clinched the gold medal in the super heavyweight category, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Sources:
- Despite his recent stumbles, Anthony Joshua still believes in his comeback, hoping to reclaim his formidable striking power following his defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.
- Tyson Fury, another high-profile heavyweight boxer, has also made a name for himself in other combat sports.
- If Joshua manages to defeat Otto Wallin in their upcoming fight, he may pave the way for an anticipated Heavyweight match against Deontay Wilder, aiming to reclaim his lost boxing throne.
Enrichment Data: Joshua has been training vigorously to regain his boxing form, particularly after the loss against Daniel Dubois in September 2024 at Wembley Stadium, London, where he was knocked out in the fifth round. Despite his intense training, Joshua has not yet confirmed his next opponent. Reports suggest he is waiting for Tyson Fury to announce a return from retirement. If Fury does not return, Joshua may consider other opponents, such as a rematch with Daniel Dubois, Deontay Wilder, or Andy Ruiz Jr.
As for his Riyadh fight, no opponent has been announced for Joshua yet. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has mentioned the possibility of a fight against Martin Bakole but has dismissed recent rumors suggesting it is already confirmed. Hearn has also hinted that Joshua will closely observe the upcoming Daniel Dubois versus Joseph Parker fight on February 22, which could influence his decision for a potential December fight, although no specific plans have been revealed.
