Should Anthony take a rematch? Does he have a choice?

[Simurgh]

This is a tricky one.

If he looses the rematch, it is all over. He will be Price 2.0, and I cannot see him not retiring.

If he doesn't take the rematch, he is likely handing all the belts to Wilder and he won't be in the position to get himself any kind of a deal even if Wilder decides to fight him. However, maybe it would be not smart to even consider fighting Wilder without a proper rebuild.

What do you think he should do?

[vaborikua2014]

I say **** it and do it. Take the immediate rematch and det it up for December. Get in the gym and this time hell have 8 week training camp for Ruiz. I had it 1-1 after 2 rounds and he dropped Ruiz in the third. If he would have taken his time and stayed on the outside I think maybe he could have maybe gotten the stoppage or atleast gotten into Ruiz's head more. Instead he tried finishing himself and gave up his advantage in height and reach to the quicker smaller fighter who landed what he needed to and changed the fight into his favor. If Joshua can keep his composure and keep Ruiz on the outside and pull a lead wlad on the inside he can win the rematch.

[champion4ever]

Now from what I am hearing and I don't know if this is true or not because only Eddie Hearn and Al Haymon know but the rumors have that there was no rematch clause in the contract. Both Joshua and Ruiz have hinted at this as well as have Deontay Wilder.

However, if this indeed true then Eddie Hearn has just shit out of luck. If it was me I would be more than willing to give Anthony Joshua a rematch because he gave me an opportunity to win the titles from him.

However there is also boxing politics involved here. The question is, if you were Al Haymon and held all the heavyweight title belts in your stable, would you allow your fighter to rematch a guy he just beat or keep it all in house; In order to hold a tournament between your own fighters for that undisputed crown?

Hmm, that's a very good question.

[LacedUp]

I think he definitely should, even though he probably shouldn't.

Can see both sides of it.

[Phenom]

He have to take it specially with how AJ and Hearn handled negotiations with other fighters when he was the "star" I doubt they will get any favors from anyone

If they don't trigger the rematch clause AJ will be forced to sign a CO promotion deal and take short money to get another title shot

[The Big Dunn]

I say you follow the wlad plan. Be honest you need to fix things. Fire McCracken and get with a trainer who can teach you how to jab and work off it and who can help with your defense. Get a conditioning expert to increase your stamina. Then fight a bum and then whyte or another winnable fight to get your buzz back and then rematch Ruiz.

Remember wlad didn't fight Brwester right away after he KHTFO. he fought like 5 guys before the rematch.

[BoxcarMurphy]

Joshua was labeled "the best finisher" in boxing by many.

Titles like that come with a responsibilty. When you charge people to watch you fight.

He needs to come back and whoop Ruiz and many others for redemption, or just acknowledge that he was a part of hype job that got out of hand, and hang it up.

We will find out what he is made of now that he is an underdog. Greatness can still be achieved but the road just became a lot harder for him.

[Simurgh]

Joshua said many times he plans to box for another 8-9 years. It might be better if he skipped on the rematch. What would he do if he looses again - risk is too high even if it is not likely he loses.

[Phenom]

Joshua said many times he plans to box for another 8-9 years. It might be better if he skipped on the rematch. What would he do if he looses again - risk is too high even if it is not likely he loses.

You think AJ can sell out in UK if he doesn't fight the rematch? Can he keep his sponsorships and network deals?

[Mammoth]

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/552832/anthony-joshua-rematch-andy-ruiz-jr-knockout-eddie-hearn/