Eddie Hearn addresses Anthony Joshua retirement plan ahead of Daniel Dubois fight

Eddie Hearn has recently shared his insights regarding Anthony Joshua’s retirement plans as the British heavyweight prepares for a significant bout against Daniel Dubois. Despite Joshua’s previous statements about retiring at the age of 35, Hearn has suggested that Joshua might continue his boxing career beyond this age.

 

Anthony Joshua, who is currently 34 years old, had previously announced his intention to retire at 35. However, according to Hearn, Joshua’s enjoyment of the sport and his current state of preparation could lead to a change in plans. Hearn is optimistic that Joshua could potentially have up to five more fights, contrary to the earlier belief that he might retire soon. This shift in perspective comes as Joshua gears up for a pivotal fight against Dubois, scheduled for September 21 at Wembley Stadium—a venue that holds significant sentimental value for Joshua.

 

Wembley Stadium is a place of great importance in Joshua’s career. His last fight at the iconic arena was in 2018, a match in which he defeated Alexander Povetkin, marking his 22nd consecutive win and maintaining his undefeated record. Additionally, Wembley was the site of Joshua’s memorable victory over Wladimir Klitschko, a fight that solidified his status as one of the top heavyweights in the world. Now, as Joshua faces Dubois, he is a more experienced fighter compared to the relatively raw talent he was back then.

 

Daniel Dubois, with a record of 21 wins and 2 losses, poses a substantial challenge to Joshua. Despite this, Hearn’s remarks suggest that Joshua’s renewed enthusiasm for boxing and the effectiveness of his training camp could lead him to continue fighting well past his initial retirement age. Hearn highlighted that Joshua’s enjoyment of boxing has significantly increased, noting the positive impact of his current training setup with coach Ben Davison.

 

Hearn elaborated on this positive change, stating, “Everything changes after every fight, but I think I’ve never seen him enjoy boxing so much. The preparation, the team. It’s simple but effective. I think he’s really found his rhythm with Ben [Davison] and the camp there.”

 

Reflecting on Joshua’s career trajectory, Hearn pointed out that opinions on Joshua’s potential number of future fights have evolved. After Joshua’s setbacks in his matches against Oleksandr Usyk—where he suffered consecutive losses—there was speculation that he might have only a few fights left. However, with Joshua’s recent victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and Francis Ngannou, there is now a belief that he could have as many as five more bouts remaining.

 

Joshua himself had previously indicated that he would retire by the age of 35, which is approaching in October. In a recent interview on The Jonathan Ross Show, Joshua reiterated his retirement plans, saying, “I’ve always said 35. I’m 35 in October, I’m thinking another two years or so if my body holds out. I’ve set up certain businesses that I can transition into naturally which don’t rely on me being at the forefront.” This statement reinforced the notion that Joshua’s retirement was imminent, but Hearn’s comments introduce the possibility of a longer career.

 

Joshua’s original plan was to fight Filip Hrgovic, a Croatian heavyweight known for holding the IBF International heavyweight title. However, after Dubois defeated Hrgovic via an eighth-round TKO to claim the interim belt, the match against Joshua was set in motion. This fight represents a significant opportunity for Dubois to make a major statement in his career, especially after facing his own career challenges and setbacks.

 

Dubois, who views the bout as a critical juncture in his career, expressed his determination and readiness. “It’s been a journey. What I feel has been a resurrection of my career really,” Dubois told Sky Sports. “I was down and now I’m coming back up. There’s a deeper meaning to it than just me and AJ in the ring. Everything’s on the line. Who’s got the stronger will, who’s really conquered their demons and who’s really ready to move forward and I believe that’s me and I’m ready to go out there and show it.”

 

As the fight approaches, both Joshua and Dubois are poised for a significant clash that could shape their careers and potentially alter the trajectory of Joshua’s planned retirement.