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The former 2-time multiple title belt claimant is often called a highly accomplished boxer and sporting superstar, and just as often referred to now as a fragile chinned hype job.
The reality, is that he can rightly be regarded as both.
But now, at 35, the long beloved A.J. is into the twilight of his career, and he's on the lookout for a mid-year opponent who will keep him active, in the limelight; without handing him a loss which surely might be his last. As with these situations, the perfect opponent will be a good one, a top 1 percenter; but not too good. Not for this fight, anyway.
Plan A was the long overdue showdown with the erstwhile former Actual world champion, Tyson Fury; who won the World Championship from Wladamir Klitschko in November 2015 and lost it to Oleksandr Usyk in May of 2024.
Over the course of their respective careers, the betting favorite between them has probably shifted several times depending on their most recent outing. For the world, and particularly for the British, that fight still holds some strong meaning, to legacy and to bragging rights. But those hopes were dashed (or delayed, at least), when Fury abruptly announced his latest retirement early this year.
So now, the still active Joshua has got to stay active. But WHO should he fight?
Anything below a top 30-35 opponent would send the message that the former champion is afraid of getting KOd again, but he's GOT to take care not to bite off more than he can chew for this outing!
In my personal estimation, prospective opponents break down like this, below.
What do Boxing Scene people think?
A) Wait for a career finale payday:
Oleksandr Usyk, Ukraine 24-0-0 (14)
Tyson Fury, England 34-2-1 (24)
Daniel Dubois, England 22-2-0 (21)
Joseph Parker, New Zealand 36-3-0 (24)
Agit Kabayel, Turkey 26-0-0 (18)
B) Just Too Dangerious for this fight:
Zhilei Zhang, China 27-3-1 (22)
Andy Ruiz Jr., USA 35-2-1 (22)
Jarrell Miller, USA 26-1-2 (22)
C) Brave Challenge, High Risk:
Derrick Chisora, England 36-13-0(23)
Martin Bakole, Congo 21-2-0. (16)
Fabio Wardley, England 18-0-1 (17)
Moses Itauma, England 11-0-0 (9)
Dillian Whyte, England 31-3-0 (21)
Deontay Wilder, USA 43-4-1 (42)
Joe Joyce, England 16-3-0 (15)
D) Perfect opponents - In Joshua's league:
Efe Ajagba, Nigeria 20-1-0 (14)
Filip Hrgovic, Croatia 17-1-0 (14)
Luis Ortiz, Cuba 34-3-0 (29)
Richard Torrez, USA 12-0-0 (11)
Guido Vianello, Italy 13-2-1 (11)
Michael Hunter, USA 24-1-2 (17)
Justis Huni, Australia 12-0-0 (7)
Lawrence Okolie, England 21-1-0(16)
Frank Sanchez, Cuba 25-1-0 (17)
Jai Opetaia, Australia 27-0-0 (21)
Hughie Fury, England 29-3-0 (16)
Ivan Dychko, Kazachstan 14-0-0 (13)
Jared Anderson, USA 18-1-0 (15)
Bakhodir Jalolov, Uzbek 14-0-0 (14)
Murat Gassiev, Armenia 31-2-0 (24)
Nelson Hysa, Albania 20-0-0 (18)
Chris Billam-Smith, England 20-2-0 (13)
Am I right or wrong?
The reality, is that he can rightly be regarded as both.
But now, at 35, the long beloved A.J. is into the twilight of his career, and he's on the lookout for a mid-year opponent who will keep him active, in the limelight; without handing him a loss which surely might be his last. As with these situations, the perfect opponent will be a good one, a top 1 percenter; but not too good. Not for this fight, anyway.
Plan A was the long overdue showdown with the erstwhile former Actual world champion, Tyson Fury; who won the World Championship from Wladamir Klitschko in November 2015 and lost it to Oleksandr Usyk in May of 2024.
Over the course of their respective careers, the betting favorite between them has probably shifted several times depending on their most recent outing. For the world, and particularly for the British, that fight still holds some strong meaning, to legacy and to bragging rights. But those hopes were dashed (or delayed, at least), when Fury abruptly announced his latest retirement early this year.
So now, the still active Joshua has got to stay active. But WHO should he fight?
Anything below a top 30-35 opponent would send the message that the former champion is afraid of getting KOd again, but he's GOT to take care not to bite off more than he can chew for this outing!
In my personal estimation, prospective opponents break down like this, below.
What do Boxing Scene people think?
A) Wait for a career finale payday:
Oleksandr Usyk, Ukraine 24-0-0 (14)
Tyson Fury, England 34-2-1 (24)
Daniel Dubois, England 22-2-0 (21)
Joseph Parker, New Zealand 36-3-0 (24)
Agit Kabayel, Turkey 26-0-0 (18)
B) Just Too Dangerious for this fight:
Zhilei Zhang, China 27-3-1 (22)
Andy Ruiz Jr., USA 35-2-1 (22)
Jarrell Miller, USA 26-1-2 (22)
C) Brave Challenge, High Risk:
Derrick Chisora, England 36-13-0(23)
Martin Bakole, Congo 21-2-0. (16)
Fabio Wardley, England 18-0-1 (17)
Moses Itauma, England 11-0-0 (9)
Dillian Whyte, England 31-3-0 (21)
Deontay Wilder, USA 43-4-1 (42)
Joe Joyce, England 16-3-0 (15)
D) Perfect opponents - In Joshua's league:
Efe Ajagba, Nigeria 20-1-0 (14)
Filip Hrgovic, Croatia 17-1-0 (14)
Luis Ortiz, Cuba 34-3-0 (29)
Richard Torrez, USA 12-0-0 (11)
Guido Vianello, Italy 13-2-1 (11)
Michael Hunter, USA 24-1-2 (17)
Justis Huni, Australia 12-0-0 (7)
Lawrence Okolie, England 21-1-0(16)
Frank Sanchez, Cuba 25-1-0 (17)
Jai Opetaia, Australia 27-0-0 (21)
Hughie Fury, England 29-3-0 (16)
Ivan Dychko, Kazachstan 14-0-0 (13)
Jared Anderson, USA 18-1-0 (15)
Bakhodir Jalolov, Uzbek 14-0-0 (14)
Murat Gassiev, Armenia 31-2-0 (24)
Nelson Hysa, Albania 20-0-0 (18)
Chris Billam-Smith, England 20-2-0 (13)
Am I right or wrong?
JakeTheBoxer
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