If I managed AJ.......

We can all stick a pin in where the current heavyweight era began. It was November 28, 2015. That was the day that the tall, gangly Mancunian, Tyson Fury brought the dawn of a new day and brought the previous, Klitschko brothers era, finally, to an end. A decade later, the 2015 - 2025 era is looked back upon with favor, as international stars such as Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz Jr., Martin Bakole, Luis Ortiz, Agit Kabayel, Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, Jarrell Miller, Alexander Povetkin, Derrick Chisora, Kubrat Pulev, Filip Hrgovic, Charles Martin, Fabio Wardley, Carlos Takam, Johann Duhaupas, Robert Helenius, Jared Anderson, Hughie Fury, Otto Wallin, Bryant Jennings, Frank Sanchez, Bermane Stiverne, Efe Ajagba, Chris Arreola, Michael Hunter, Frazier Clarke, Bakhodir Jalolov, Tony Yoka, Murat Gassiev, Aleksandr Ustinov, Lucas Browne, Dominic Breazeale, Gerald Washington, Guido Vianello, Arslanbek Makhmudov, Bermane Stiverne, Francesco Pianeta, Hughie Fury, Artur Szpilka, Ruslan Chagaev, Mariusz Wach, Jermain Franklin, Kevin Lerena, Johnathan Guidry, Tom Schwarz, Izuagbe Ugonoh, Travis Kauffman, Christian Hammer, Ali Eren Demirezen, Adam Kownacki, Joe Cusumano, Johnny Rice, Amir Mansour, Lukasz Rozanski, Junior Fa, and even a Mixed Martial Arts great, Francis Ngannou, have provided fans the thrills and chills that only the big boys can deliver. Of them all, Watford's Anthony Joshua was arguably the most popular; celebrated across the globe. As the sun suts on the era, and on that of it's champion attention grabber, we are left to wonder what WE might do, if found in the position to advise the former belt holder, and one of the best heavyweight contenders to have never won the HCOTW. Strait away, my view is that Joshua, while getting very close; need not pack it in just yet. There is still on the table for him, the lifetime earnings of 50 to 100 average men. I believe that an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois would be a terrible mistake, as the style matchup is dreadful. I also believe that the overseasoned UK showdown against Tyson Fury, while nothing like what it once was, to unify belts, is still an historic event, fashioned somewhat like the Ali - Frazier III "Thrilla in Manila clash of 1975, where both headliners had seen better days, if only just. It is certainly a more winnable fight for Joshua than ones against massive punchers like Wilder or Dubois. Regardless whether or not Fury can regain the actual heavyweight title against Usyk in December; this is a fight that will sell out, and help to further define the pecking order of the outgoing era. With the first slot when Fury's available for that some 5 or 6 months out from today, September 24; one or even two stay busy/get happy fights can be scheduled for Joshua, and there's no shortage of good, willing, winning opponents eager to jump at such an opportunity. So, left up to me, this is how Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, OBE can bow out with grace. 2013 - 2023. 27-3-0 (24) 2024 Francis Ngannou, Riyadh...................KO. 2 Daniel Dubois, London...................KOBY 5 2025 Guido Vianello, Rome.......................TKO. 7 Efe Ajagba, Lagos............................. W 10 Tyson Fury, Riyadh............................ ?

Comments (9)

Truth is, AJ is still the biggest seller in the division. He fights who he wants. He got demolished v DDD, but it was an exciting fight, people will pay to see him again. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see him against the winner of the Fury/Usyk fight (especially if its Fury), never mind the loser. It's only over for AJ if he chooses it to be. Sadly that's just how the world of boxing works... £s.

1y ago

Willow_The_Wisp

If he enjoys fighting, enjoys earning more money, enjoys the limelight then he'll fight on. But that defeat is a huge shift. Even up to the Dubois fight there was still a chance of absolute greatness. Beat Dubois to become 3 time champion, then go onto Fury and become Undisputed, maybe even get another crack at Usyk and avenge his losses. Unlikely, but he would have thought it was possible. And that would have made him truly great. But that's all gone now. Even if he can come again, and even if he could win the fights, he wouldn't have the time left. He can't avenge Dubois, fight Fury and avenge Usyk. There's not even a remote possibility. That should free him up. There's no path, no journey, no chase. He's still a huge draw so he'll get decent fights. I actually think he should fight Wilder, fight a Ruiz trilogy and then go to Fury. They all pay, they will all have interest, will be attractive to Ruiz/Wilder and he's got more chance of getting through the first two than if he tries to go via Dubois. But I think he'll try to get Dubois in the ring again. It's what he's always done, right? And a lot of this comes down to what Turkiye can offer. If, for example, Dubois gets offered Joshua with a guarantee of Fury or Usyk... he'd have to take it? Nice post Toffee. There are ways to navigate this game while winding up, to astutely manage risk. It provides a chance for a star to perform in front of his adoring audience. Ali did it while still the champion; in bouts with Coopman, Dunn. Qualified fighters, not going to do too much with Ali. I have witnessed entire lifetimes of professional pugilists, so I know the risks involved in this. But for him? listen, they all get derailed at some point. Very strenuous business, boxing. I'd be ok with another go.

1y ago

Toffee

1y ago

Willow_The_Wisp

Millions don't mean much if you have so much brain damage that you can't enjoy life, hurt your family, and die early. If it were losing close decisions, that'd be one thing. But they better not put him in against any more big punchers if he can't keep his hands up. No big punchers, for sure!!!!!

1y ago

crimsonfalcon07

There is a powerful case for retirement, for certain. But....all those millions! Millions don't mean much if you have so much brain damage that you can't enjoy life, hurt your family, and die early. If it were losing close decisions, that'd be one thing. But they better not put him in against any more big punchers if he can't keep his hands up.

1y ago

Smash

new AJ to new AJ retirement home in 15 mins

1y ago

Willow_The_Wisp

There is a powerful case for retirement, for certain. But....all those millions!

1y ago

Mammoth

I wouldn't have him fight any young up and comers at least. Contemporaries only if not retirement.

1y ago

RJJ9402GOAT

I’d tell him to retire. He’s set for life, he’s clearly past his best and he’s never going to get back to where he once was. Why continue? Other than greed/delusion? The AJ hype was hilariously out of control during the Sky/Matchroom era so he was never going to reach those heights or ever get close to them really. He still had a very good career though, Olympic Gold, 2x World Champ, created some huge events along the way. Hang ‘em up and enjoy the millions you earned would be my advice.

1y ago