Legendary promoter Bob Arum believes it might be the end of Anthony Joshua following his defeat to Daniel Dubois last Saturday – unless he fights Deontay Wilder.
Joshua, 34, was knocked out in five by the 27-year-old Dubois in an all British affair at Wembley Stadium for the IBF heavyweight championship. In a thrilling encounter, Dubois dominated and recorded a deserved one-sided win over Joshua to end the latter’s dream of becoming a three-time champ.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, the Hall of Fame promoter Arum said the defeat could sound the final bell on Joshua’s career.
“No, you don’t have an off night getting out of you that way,” said Arum. “I just think AJ has been through a lot of wars. I think it’s over for him as well as over for [Deontay] Wilder.”
Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight titlist, has managed just one win in his last five fights which include losses to Joseph Parker, Zhilei Zhang and two to Tyson Fury.
After losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua recorded a four-fight winning streak before the defeat to Dubois. A showdown with Wilder would still do big business.
“Maybe they can fight each other,” Arum said, “that’d be good.”
By Bernard Neequaye