AJ hasn’t fought since the loss to Dubois in September 2024. Hearn said he’s not even gonna fight this year, with February being the earliest. He’s semi-retired at this point, what’s going on with him?
Because he is a mental weakling who cannot stand defeat, Hearn is looking for a harmless opponent for him.
Fights since jan 2023 Fury : 3 Wilder : 3 Usyk : 4 Wardley : 5 DD : 5 Bakole : 5 Zhang : 5 AJ : 5 Parker : 6 Even having taken a year off after one of the worst losses of his career, hes still one of the most active heavyweights. Just taking time away after a crushing defeat. Hearn says hes fighting in Feb of 2026.
Dubois damaged Joshua, physically and mentally. They have used the elbow 'injury', of which there has been no supporting evidence whatsoever, to buy time for Joshua to get his head right and some confidence back.
Joshua is 36 years old and hasn't beaten a truly top fighter in quite awhile. His last bout was the devastating loss to Dubois. When you are getting up there in age and you get beat up like he was that has to cause a certain amount of self-reflection. Older boxers tend to fight less anyway. I assume it is even harder for a man who was at the top to get motivated for lesser fights at an older age. If his heart isn't truly in it I hope he just retires and enjoys his money.
Is there any point in him carrying on unless he fights Fury, Wilder or Jake Paul for a cash grab? He's too old to spend a year or two fighting featherfists to get his confidence up again.