Anthony Joshua addresses retirement claims after he is stopped by Daniel Dubois
Anthony Joshua insists he is not retiring despite suffering a fourth career defeat after a destruction at the hands of Daniel Dubois.
The British heavyweight lost in his bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion as he was knocked out by his compatriot in the fifth round.
Joshua, who will be 35 next month, has now lost four fights in his career but he insists this is not the end for him. The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist was advised not to do the post-fight media conference in the bowels of Wembley Stadium.
READ MORE: Daniel Dubois knocks out Anthony Joshua in Wembley mega fight – ‘Tyson Fury is next’
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But he insisted on coming to speak, if only for a brief statement to to confirm that walking away from the sport is not on the cards.
He said: “We rolled the dice for the third time. That’s 13 world title fights, not every one has been successful. But they have all been fun and entertaining.
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“We are trying to create history for British boxing and I think we are doing that. People will ask if I still want to continue fighting. Of course I want to continue fighting. We took as shot at success and came up short – what does that mean now? That we will run away? Or are we going to live to fight another day? I am a warrior.”
Joshua has won world championship silver and Olympic gold as an amateur before winning three heavyweight titles twice as professional. He has broken attendance records for boxing at Wembley Stadium and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff while sold 60,000 tickets at Tottenham Hotspur, too.
Joshua, who will turn 35 next month, should seriously consider walking away now after this brutal knockout defeat at the hands of a younger rival.
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And he should do with his head held very high for a career which has been a huge success in the ring, even if he never got the undisputed crown he craved.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “2025 is going to be an interesting year for Anthony Joshua, one way or the other. But he will definitely be back. Whether it’s against Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury or whoever, you are going to be entertained.”
However, foe promotor turned partner, Frank Warren gave his thoughts: “It takes two people to make a fight; a great champion and AJ… I always felt he would do it.”
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The victory now opens up the possibility of Dubois taking on either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk after their rematch in December over Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight championship.
However, Hearn did mention the possibility of a rematch, after proceedings, saying: “I think he [Joshua] will exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s a given.
“He’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight, this guy is growing in confidence all the time. He’ll believe he can hurt Dubois, he’ll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit, it was a great performance.”
