Should Joshua retire ?

No he shouldn't, & there's no way AJ is retiring. Too many money fights and he genuinely is trying to improve hence the different trainers. At this point I don't think he needs any trainers, just go back to basics & old school training where you have enough stamina to throw combos and finish at a decent pace. He seems confused between styles like should he box and be conservative or throw more and gas.

Someone would have to retire him for him to quit and he still considered prime age. I hope he doesn't go full cautious Wlad style on us every time & stink up the joint, that's the last thing paying fans want to see in a huge muscled heavyweight is to be timid.

 

Agree that AJ might wait out Fury and Wilder. Ofc he's 0-2 vs. Usyk.
But if true, how is he any different from Fury supposedly ducking one of these fighters in Usyk? At least Fury has fought Wilder 3X.

 

It is not that what you are saying is wrong, but Joshua is out of the running. Fury ducking Usyk is sinful, because we have a change to see a true champion crowned. Joshua laying low for a few years is...meh. As you point out, Usyk already beat him twice.

 

Why are you still on about this, lad ?

We both said our piece the night of the fight...nearly a week ago.

I can see you're very passionate about the subject of AJ, with your loud capitals and all.

And you could be right, maybe he is done as a top HW. During the RBR of the fight, I said several times that he didn't look like he Joshua of earlier years so that might welll be it for him.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...-wilson-bent-rbr.701555/page-59#post-22243017


But you're dead wrong about his current standing in the division ...there are not more than four boxers who could reasonably be ranked above him.

And as to whether or not he's finished, time will tell.

And as I told you on fight night, my two favourite HWs are Usyk and Fury

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...s-survey-results.671120/page-10#post-21313907



So I'm at a loss as to why AJ is still living in your head half a week later.

 

And AJ has fought Usyk twice.

And these were the top four in the division.

So if Fury has two victories over Wilder, and Usyk has two victories over AJ, the OBVIOUS fight we need to see to settle matters at the top of the HW division, is Fury v Usyk.

 

Well boxing is generally based on fighter's journey to a world title. The 4 guys above him render his career pointless at this point, as he is on a downward trajectory. That's all I have to say really, nothing against AJ, but plenty against the UK hype machine.

 

It doesn't seem like he's going to go on to great things. Only Joshua knows if he should retire. We can only speculate. It certainly looks like he should. This is not a sport to hang around in if your heart isn't fully in it. Even a fight against someone like Jermaine Franklin can turn into an ugly slug fest that can take years off your life.

Joshua was finished the moment he quit against Ruiz. No one in this sport has ever quit and gone on to do great things. Franklin is a fine going away opponent.

Joshua will never live down the fact that his sad, backward, limited world view was twice shattered for all to see by Usyk. He's been exposed as a boxer, and as a person. The crowds of drunken brits have come and gone, and time carries on without Eddie Hearn's golden goose.

 

Like him or not the dudes a money maker. Hearns will keep him going as long as he can.

 

As much as I DON’T like Joshua I agree with him fighting on. Too many fun fights to be made with him. Plus… I’d like to see a couple of the really good contenders possibly put his ass out for a ten count. Lol! I think Hrgovic vs Joshua is a possible back and forth barn burner. So would a fight with Gassiev. That one imo will be the time Joshua goes out highlight reel style and Murat will put his name back in the spotlight. I think we’d see that NASTY left hook to the body in that one do to Joshua’s 6’7 frame and his high guard.

I don’t even want to watch Fury fight Joshua because Fury owes it to the sport of boxing to fight Usyk. Joshua vs Wilder would be fun. I’m in the minority here but I think Wilder takes a nap in that one. Joshua has underrated skills and DEFINITELY hits hard enough to put Deontey out.

 

Gassiev vs anybody is a great fight!

I'd love to see him and Murat but there is no chance of that happening in my opinion, as he is too high risk low-reward (at this point).

Gassiev has a pretty good ranking by a couple of the organizations...if he wants to climb, he needs to look for other guys who need a fight. Maybe Big Baby Miller, or something like that.

 

If you were a close friend of Joshua's or a family member without a financial interest, what would you advise?

I would implore him to retire. It's abundantly clear now that the costs of continuing outweigh the benefits:

1. He’s already got vast wealth

2. He’s lost his confidence and passion for boxing

3. His long-term health will only deteriorate if he continues, maybe significantly

4. His legacy will deteriorate further if Wilder KO’s him, which is likely what would happen

But I'm a selfish and sadistic boxing fan, so I want to see him fight Wilder.