BoxRec

Anthony Joshua Plans To Return Before Year's End, December Date Targeted

Anthony Joshua says he wants to return to the ring before the end of the year as he starts to target his route back to another world heavyweight title shot.

Far from hiding after his split decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah, Joshua turned up at the post-fight press conference and said he would take only two weeks' holiday before returning to training.

He said he asked Eddie Hearn, his promoter, for a return date in November, although Hearn said a December date is more likely.

“I spoke to Eddie and asked if I could go in November because momentum is important,” Joshua said. “He said December. I will take two weeks off.

“I am a fighter for life and the fire never dies. Come one, come all, whoever wants it can get it.”

After an emotional rant in the ring, when he threw Usyk’s belts and made a long rambling speech to the crowd, Joshua was so overcome at the press conference that he broke down in tears.

“Eleven months (out of the ring) is a long time,” he said. “I don’t know if I exorcised any demons, I don’t know how to answer that.

“I tried a different style. What got me through the early days, when I was beating guys that I shouldn’t have been - with only three years as an amateur - I was beating guys out of sheer hunger and passion. I wanted to compete and give him a more competitive fight.

“It’s really hard to say I am proud of myself; I am just really upset deep down in my heart. Trust me, f------- hell, deep down.”

Finally, he's free of any rematch clauses (although it's usually him to exercises them), free of mandatories, free of trying to make unification bouts.

Who would you like to see him in the ring with?

Who SHOULD he fight?

someone mentioned joyce-josh if joyce beats parker, that would be nice

what about revisiting big baby miller?


and nice on chizzy beating pulev, but chis-josh interests me 0

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 04:20 someone mentioned joyce-josh if joyce beats parker, that would be nice

what about revisiting big baby miller?


and nice on chizzy beating pulev, but chis-josh interests me 0

Would be a good one, cus that's when it all started!

The best option for him is Wilder, but, of course, Deontay won't fight in December, even if he wins Helenius by KO 1 in October. Well, who knows, but most likely not.

Joyce in a case of a win over Parker sounds great too, but that will be too dangerous for Joshua without much reward.

I guess, they'll bring Joshua a lesser level opponent to regain confidence after the two schoolings suffered in a row. I won't be surprised with the Fat Baby Miller, since they got some history, while Miller is so bad now, that he will grab any opportunity. After all those failed attempts to fight, Miller will agree to face Joshua for a couple of hamburgers.

Maybe they'll bring Chisora, since he's a matchroom fighter and won Pulev. That will be more interesting, than Miller.

Hrgovic is also a possible option, as everyone now know, how poor he is in reality.

how many times is chisora gonna be recycled, please give me miller over chizz. we've already seen aj handily beat numerous guys who beat chisora

It can't be someone who's a big risk unless it's the Fury fight, which is possible. Wilder is too big a risk on a comeback fight. The Parker Joyce winner is probably too dangerous

A Whyte rematch would of made sense but he's fighting Debois. Ortiz is facing Ruiz. I think that leaves Hunter or Chisora

I’d have thought they stick him in with chisora. End of this year seems a bit ambitious.

Really hard one is'nt it ,, Fury will be out now , doubt fury will want it , he'll be accused of dodging Wilder and challenging a broken man ,, not that i think it would bother him provided he was well paid .. Whyte he's beat , Chisora considered easy work and doubt it will sell well ,, Usyk waste of time he's got his number , Wilder Mmmmm too risky he ko's AJ it really is the finish , Jocye don't know just have a feeling its too much risk for the reward at this stage ,, Parker probably sell and be competetive ,,, Hughie Fury would he take it , , no doubt they will find someone , Fury always has so they will for AJ ,,

orbtastic wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 05:16 I’d have thought they stick him in with chisora. End of this year seems a bit ambitious.

That would be a farce tbh..

DAZN will have a big say. They must be absolutely devastated with what happened Saturday in and out of the ring.

AJ still an attraction but just a massive fall from grace.

He also took a hell of a pounding in Rd 10.

garethhop wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 05:25 DAZN will have a big say. They must be absolutely devastated with what happened Saturday in and out of the ring.

Expanding on their existing relationship, Joshua has deepened his partnership with DAZN by becoming a shareholder, special advisor, and brand ambassador for the business. As a special advisor, Joshua will join DAZN’s strategic advisory board as the business develops its global boxing offering by providing a richer and more immersive experience for its customers.

He may have more of a say than you think..

It's bad news when your 'special advisor' goes on an expletive laden rant on another channel banging on about jail and a "not nice" war. That's very special.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 05:46 It's bad news when your 'special advisor' goes on an expletive laden rant on another channel banging on about jail and a "not nice" war. That's very special.

Another reason why this tosspot is so overinflated. "special advisor" to the broadcaster. Good grief.

Miller is over 300lbs… no thanks. Fat.
Will be Zhang… at the 02 or in China.

Will anyone care especially if Fury v Usyk gets signed ? Why would anyone pay to see Joshua recycled again, he has no chance of a win agaInst either Fury or Usyk and anything else is worthless.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he faces Chisora next, but given that he was there supporting AJ and they appear to be friends how can they even sell that fight? Hrgovic would be a good option, beatable and highly ranked but I doubt he would risk his IBF mandatory shot.

Perhaps Dillian Whyte? Whyte would welcome the chance to avenge his loss and AJ would see it as a winnable fight.

Wilder would be my first choice. After that Miller or Joyce, or in none of the above are feasible Hrgovic just to get rid of him.

chinarich wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 07:29 I wouldn’t be surprised if he faces Chisora next, but given that he was there supporting AJ and they appear to be friends how can they even sell that fight? Hrgovic would be a good option, beatable and highly ranked but I doubt he would risk his IBF mandatory shot.

Perhaps Dillian Whyte? Whyte would welcome the chance to avenge his loss and AJ would see it as a winnable fight.

Yeah good shout. Fight with Whyte would make sense

Joshua will either fight Whyte or Chisora if it happens.

it will be hrgovic, im sure of it.
Easy to hit, slow, terrible saturday night and Will get his IBF manditory

most other people are held up and eddie makes a lot of fights with kalle Sauerland

it makes the most sense

December AJ returns to the lions Den -- probably December 10th

chisora is his mate so no way he fights him

chinarich wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 07:29 I wouldn’t be surprised if he faces Chisora next, but given that he was there supporting AJ and they appear to be friends how can they even sell that fight? Hrgovic would be a good option, beatable and highly ranked but I doubt he would risk his IBF mandatory shot.

Perhaps Dillian Whyte? Whyte would welcome the chance to avenge his loss and AJ would see it as a winnable fight.

Hrgovic would probably get paid more against Joshua than fighting for a world title

tony1234 wrote: ↑22 Aug 2022, 07:28 Will anyone care especially if Fury v Usyk gets signed ? Why would anyone pay to see Joshua recycled again, he has no chance of a win agaInst either Fury or Usyk and anything else is worthless.

Because people watch good fights that aren't against 1 and 2 and because AJ is still a massive draw. Compare it to Mike Tyson when he wasn't champion and was still selling huge PPVs and venues. AJ has a similar drawing power

He needs a confidence builder, lads. I would recommend he fights for the British title, remind himself and others he is still the best boxer in these isles (which will have the added bonus of annoying Fury). A fight with Solomon Dacres, Adeleye or even Hughie Fury. AJ has lost two in a row, he shouldn't be fighting the likes of Wilder or Joyce right now.

He should definitely either fight Wilder next, or take a warm-up/confidence building easy fight next, then fight Wilder.

Alen ‘The Cabbage’ Babic.