AJ failed a drugs test?

This. One of the truly frustrating things about boxing, in the last decade or two much more common. What other sport is there where the elite actually perform for an hour and ten minutes (max - if both fights go to scorecards) per year? The entire rest of the year is downtime and camp. I feel sure it makes for worse fighters in any case, being under the lights, TV cameras rolling, thousands watching.... all that takes a toll. Top fighters need exposure to this to feel comfortable. I think lack of exposure has played a big part, for example, in AJ's 'safety first' incarnation. He needs to be more active and has done for three years. Outside of the 0.000001 percent of the year actually spent in a boxing ring on fight night, AJ is slowly morphing into Audley.

 

The 1 fight every 9 month nonsense, is fighters demanding ludicrous purses and timing their cycles right sadly.

 

He has been offered incredible money for the Fury/Wilder fight later in the year in Saudi. If he takes that money then Saudi dont want him to take the risk of another fight in the meantime. No fighter on the planet would turn it down if it comes to fruition

 

Because they don't enjoy the PR-friendly persona Joshua has built up over the years, especially when the real person slips from under the mask under strain. If Joshua was a bit more like Whyte and didn't give a toss what he said, he'd get more support from hardcore fans (but fewer sponsors!)

 

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How can you confirm?

Whilst I don't believe these rumours, who are you to speak on AJ/Matchrooms behalf?

 

As I said on here the other day, he and his promoter can't risk losing before a big cashout. Paint it any way you like but that's the truth.

And for what it's worth it's sensible too but the AJ of 4 years ago would have gone with an interim defence full of confidence.

 

Any boxer inside the top 30 has a chance of beating AJ, there is no tick over fight they could run with that wouldn't be too risky

 

Yep. I'm sure they had good intentions of 3 this year but that Franklin fight proved the risk. I'd probably give AJ a chance against bigger fighters in his range, he just seems lost against smaller, fearless operators.

Should have put him in with Zhang, who is pretty hittable and just at the right distance.

 

He clearly works for Dazn and should have the grace to admit it.

 

He's clearly juiced to the gills, got that HGH gutt back.

 

If Joshua has been told by his handlers he has to get in the ring with Deontay Wilder in DECEMBER, I make him an odds on favourite to retire from boxing before then. Possibly citing mental fragility reasons.

Joshua’s glass heart CANNOT withstand eight months of countdown to his own execution. He knows like we all know what would happen if he ever shared a ring with Wilder. Man just fought safety first against a tubby little feather fisted cabbie ffs.

Fury USKY and Wilder Joyce? I can see that playing out. Joshua facing the hardest puncher in heavyweight history? Not for any amount of saudi blood money.

 

You must have forgotten Earnie Shavers

 

Besides Eddie's tea boi/ball washer giving us confirmation here that the rumour is false, has anyone else clarified it?

 

We only need Dazn Rimmer confirmation