Former Matchroom stablemate Matthew Macklin has urged Anthony Joshua to hang up his gloves after being knocked out by Daniel Dubois.
Macklin, who fought alongside AJ under Eddie Hearn, believes Joshua should avoid another fight with Dubois and walk away. The Sky Sports commentator and former world title challenger didn’t mince his words when calling for Joshua to gather media and give his decision.
“When the dust settles, I’d be surprised if AJ took the rematch,” said Macklin. “If he were my brother, I’d tell him to forget about boxing for a bit. [He should] Then call a press conference to announce his retirement and celebrate an amazing career.
“[It’s] A career that took boxing to another level in this country and created jobs and opportunities for everyone in boxing!
“We’ve all benefited from the ripple effect of AJ’s career. He’s 34 now, and father time is undefeated. He’s got nothing to prove to anyone. His legacy is cemented!”
Fans reacted to Macklin‘s advice with mixed feelings.
“One hundred percent correct,” said one. “But he is such a big cash cow to those around him they will not give him that advice. He’s young, rich, and still mentally all there. But this is heavyweight boxing, and if he starts to become a bit of a punching bag, that last bit might change.”
“AJ has no business fighting DD [Dubois] again. It’s a pointless exercise. AJ, in my view, was never an all-time great heavyweight. Eddie Hearn matched him masterfully, in my opinion.
“He’s never been the same since Ruiz, but The DD beatdown was of sustained astronomical proportions [so there’s] no coming back from that,” said another.
A third stated, “Why do people want him to retire after losing to a young upcoming heavyweight? Bro still has so many fights out there.”
With a fourth adding, “I’d take the rematch if I was him. He can’t possibly lose worse than that. He’s made a lot of money, but let’s be honest, he doesn’t have much of a legacy.”
Joshua has two options after suffering his fourth career defeat. If the Londoner accepts, Dubois is open to a rematch in April. However, Tyson Fury could also be an option if he loses to Oleksandr Usyk again in December.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
