Anthony Joshua’s decision to avoid an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois is no surprise and he may not fight again, says Matthew McLean.
Dubois retained his IBF world title in devastating fashion at Wembley Stadium in September with a stunning fifth-round knockout of Joshua.
Joshua has decided not to face Dubois immediately in February 2025 as the fight date does not fit into his plans for next year as he looks to bounce back from a crushing defeat.
Former European middleweight champion McLean was not surprised by the decision, telling Sky Sports“I just couldn’t see the immediate rematch happening.
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Tyson Fury, Conor McGregor, Oleksandr Usyk and more share their thoughts on Daniel Dubois’ knockout of Anthony Joshua.
“I understood the talk about it because for Joshua his pride was hurt and when your pride is hurt you just want to get back in there to make things right.
“But I always thought when the dust settled it was a fight that wasn’t going to happen. The first fight could not have been more convincing, it was a loss and a bad knockout.
“Given where Joshua is in his career, a loss like that will take a lot to come back from. You don’t get better at 34, it goes downhill from here.
“Coming into Joshua Dubois’ first fight with his new trainer on the back of two wins, his confidence couldn’t be higher, but now going into the rematch he’ll have all kinds of doubts and insecurities.”
“AJ’s retirement wouldn’t shock me”
Two-time world champion Joshua has had a brilliant career in the ring, but a defining period awaits as he plans his next move.
Joshua will consider his future in the sport, McLean says
Whoever Joshua decides to fight next could either reignite his quest to become a three-time world champion or effectively end his decade of success at the top of the heavyweight division.
“Personally I think it could be for Joshua anyway,” added Sky Sports pundit McLean.
“When the dust settles, he has time to think and think about his next move, it wouldn’t shock me at all if AJ doesn’t box again and retires. And what a career he would have.
“The Tyson Fury fight could still happen if he beat Oleksandr Usyk. It would still be a huge fight, but I just don’t know what AJ’s appetite for boxing is at this point, it’s hard to say.”
“Parker 2.0 is better than the world champion version”
With Joshua out, interim WBO champion Joseph Parker emerged as the frontrunner to face Dubois in his next IBF defense.
The New Zealander has enjoyed a renaissance since losing to Joe Joyce in September 2022, putting himself back in world title contention with impressive wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
“It would be a brilliant match,” Maclin continued. “Parker is one of those fighters who has stayed active, taken one risky fight after another. After a win against Wilder and then Zhang, he’s on a roll.
“I think this Joseph Parker is better than the world champion that AJ beat in 2017.
“Back then he was world champion and undefeated, but today’s Joseph Parker is more experienced, he’s experienced, he’s got a great relationship with his new coach, Andy Lee. They are together and this is the best Joseph Parker ever. was
“It’s going to be a very tough fight for Dubois, but Dubois is also in the shape of his career.
“If you look at his last three wins, Filip Hrgovic, Jarell Miller and AJ, he’s in the prime of his career, his confidence and his form has never been better. It’s a really exciting fight against Parker.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith take on Gilberto Ramirez in the unification of the WBO and WBA world cruiserweight championships on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Mix.
