Why isn't Anthony Joshua fighting any top contenders

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by MarkusFlorez99, Feb 25, 2026.

Page 1 of 3
  1. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2021
    Messages:
    17,132
    Likes Received:
    19,094
    He doesn't have much time left, he needs to defeat somebody in the top 10 in order to get another title shot. There's plenty of options and he said he was planning a summer comeback, what's taking him so long ?
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Feb 25, 2026
    #1
    Blg Man and CroBox29 like this.
  2. NoChin

    NoChin Sir Tim Tszyu - Knighted! Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2023
    Messages:
    9,694
    Likes Received:
    7,877
    He made a killing fighting Jake Paul. Plus his friends died in a car crash that he was in. That takes a toll. He's not winning a world title. He's had his ass handed to him a few times now at least.
     
    NoChin, Feb 25, 2026
    #2
    dawz84, bjl12, MarkusFlorez99 and 2 others like this.
  3. CST80

    CST80 The Hesitant Nihilist Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2013
    Messages:
    260,519
    Likes Received:
    264,692
    Because he's still traumatized after seeing his friends brains smashed all over the road?:nusenuse:
     
    CST80, Feb 25, 2026
    #3
    Noel857, ellerbe, MixedMartialLaw and 15 others like this.
  4. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    6,106
    Likes Received:
    7,147
    He was already scared right after Dubois knocked him out, I doubt he'll ever come back.
     
    CroBox29, Feb 25, 2026
    #4
    bjl12, PusherII and MarkusFlorez99 like this.
  5. OddR

    OddR Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2025
    Messages:
    2,968
    Likes Received:
    3,142
    He has been trying to fight Fury...

    And obviously the latest set back.
     
    OddR, Feb 26, 2026
    #5
    Bigplatts, MaccaveliMacc and bjl12 like this.
  6. Blg Man

    Blg Man Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2022
    Messages:
    164
    Likes Received:
    249
    hes not a real fighter
     
    Blg Man, Feb 26, 2026
    #6
    MarkusFlorez99 and Redbeard7 like this.
  7. Wizbit1013

    Wizbit1013 Drama go, and don't come back Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2018
    Messages:
    15,155
    Likes Received:
    19,451
    Please explain in more depth how he isn't a "real" fighter?
     
    Wizbit1013, Feb 26, 2026
    #7
    swagdelfadeel, TNSNO1878, MaccaveliMacc and 4 others like this.
  8. zulander

    zulander Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2006
    Messages:
    6,037
    Likes Received:
    1,721
    I'm assuming you live under a rock....
    Got KO'd by Daniel Dubois. Has been relatively inactive since... Fought Paul for no other reason than $$
    My have retired..... But any potential comeback possibly delayed after recent death of 2 friends. In serious crash he was lucky to walk away from.
    The Fury fight would still sell but is probably not past its best but AJ may just be waiting to see Fury get past Mak 1 warm up each and then a big money fights is on
     
    zulander, Feb 26, 2026
    #8
    CooperKupp likes this.
  9. Mickc

    Mickc Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2015
    Messages:
    2,983
    Likes Received:
    3,195
    Joshua has accumulated more than enough money in his career with the Paul fight being the cherry on the cake with the money from that little number. Does Joshua really need to fight on ? does he even still the motivation to carry on ? is there any point for him to continue fighting on ? With the recent loss of his two best friends a return will more than likely be the last thing on his mind tbh.
     
    Mickc, Feb 26, 2026
    #9
  10. Csonnyliston

    Csonnyliston Undefeated P4P King of online arguments! Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2020
    Messages:
    3,381
    Likes Received:
    4,192
    He hasn't earned it. Got KO'd by Dubois in his last competitive fight, so he has to fight someone worse than Dubois first, but better than Jake Paul.
     
    Csonnyliston, Feb 26, 2026
    #10
    MarkusFlorez99 likes this.
  11. PistonHondai

    PistonHondai Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2019
    Messages:
    649
    Likes Received:
    510
    His only hope is to fight washed fighters like Wilder or Zhang or Joe Joyce
     
    PistonHondai, Feb 26, 2026
    #11
    MarkusFlorez99 likes this.
  12. fencik45

    fencik45 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2022
    Messages:
    3,385
    Likes Received:
    3,034
    Why does he need to defeat a top ten fighter to get a title shot? No one else will need to do so, especially Fury.
     
    fencik45, Feb 26, 2026
    #12
  13. The Real Lance

    The Real Lance Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    9,610
    Likes Received:
    11,335
    :facepalm:
     
    The Real Lance, Feb 26, 2026
    #13
    ellerbe, CooperKupp and Wizbit1013 like this.
  14. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2024
    Messages:
    4,535
    Likes Received:
    6,977
    If you just saw two of your best mates killed in front of you eyes, would you want to go to work for a while? @MarkusFlorez99

    What kind of thread is this?
     
    Ice8Cold, Feb 26, 2026
    #14
    Noel857, Oddone, Loudon and 6 others like this.
  15. delboy82

    delboy82 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2014
    Messages:
    9,542
    Likes Received:
    6,438
    What an absolute sharticle
     
    delboy82, Feb 26, 2026
    #15
    Loudon, MaccaveliMacc and CooperKupp like this.
Page 1 of 3