Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum believes 'it's over' for Anthony Joshua after the two-time heavyweight world champion suffered a devastating loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
The British boxing star was a huge favourite going into the clash with Dubois, but struggled from the first bell. 'Dynamite' went on to drop 'AJ' four times in total before securing a sensational knockout to retain his IBF title. Despite such a one-sided main event, “You’re probably asking if I still want to consider fighting. Of course I want to continue fighting,” said Joshua, who declined to take questions at the post-fight press conference.
“We took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now? That we’re going to run away? We’re going to live to fight another day. And that’s what I am – I’m a warrior. Always walk with your head high. We rolled the dice for the third time. There have been 13 world-title fights, not every one of them has been successful but every one has been fun and entertaining. There were a few mistakes in there but that’s the name of the game. Fine margins will cost you at the top level. Also before I finish, we have to give credit our opponent Daniel. When I sign up to fight opponents, I don’t really like them in my head any more. But now that it’s done, I take my hat off to him and say well done.”
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Joshua has a clause in his contract which would allow him to force a rematch with Dubois. 'Dynamite's' promoter, Frank Warren, is open to seeing the two heavyweight stars face off again. "I haven’t got a problem with a rematch. If they want to do it, if the terms are all okay and we’ll sit down and talk about it," he told talkSPORT. "But it's all too soon to say who he’s going to be fighting next. He needs to now savour the moment."
Despite reports stating that there is a rematch clause, Arum has said there's no such thing. And speaking to , the promoter gave his thoughts on the possibility of a rematch and believes it's over for Joshua. “Well, it was what heavyweight fights used to be; two guys go out, slug each other, and one guy knocks the other one out. I mean, that’s exciting,” he said.
“There’s no rematch. That’s Eddie Hearn’s bull***t. There was no rematch clause, Dubois signed a two fight deal with the Saudis and I think really that the best fight for Dubois is to fight the winner of Fury and Usyk, and that’s what he’ll do. No, you don’t have an off night getting the s**t kicked out of you that way. I just think AJ has been through a lot of wars and I think it’s over for him and as well over for Wilder. Maybe they can fight each other, that’d be a good fight.”
Many senior figures in the sport of boxing have suggested 'AJ' should consider retiring. However, the Brit is confident that he still has a lot more to give and that he can become a three-time heavyweight champion.
As for Dubois, in a recent interview with talkSPORT, the Brit revealed he will accept the fight that offers him the most money next. "I would love a rematch but either one really, whoever pays me more money," he said. 'Dynamite' added that if the rematch with Joshua wasn't imminent, he'd certainly consider the bout in the future. "Yeah, if that happens down the line then yes. I want to do even better next time. I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that's what we have been doing."
When asked if he'd do a better job on Joshua, Dubois said: "I think so. I think I would. I think I'd be a lot better than that. It was a great show and it was a great Rocky-type fight, but next time I believe I'll be more clinical, more sharp, everything better."
