In a candid and impassioned interview with talkSPORT, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua’s illustrious career is nearing its end, with the two-time world heavyweight champion potentially having only “two fights, three fights max” left.
The revelation comes at a pivotal moment in Joshua’s career, following a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
The 35-year-old, who boasts a record of 28 wins from 32 professional fights, including 25 knockouts, recently suffered a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Hearn, the Matchroom chief who has been instrumental in Joshua’s career since his professional debut in 2013, spoke openly about the fighter’s ambitions and the remaining challenges he faces.
“The plan and the goal for Anthony Joshua, always, from now to the moment he retires, is to try and win the World Heavyweight Championship,” Hearn stated, emphasizing Joshua’s unwavering desire to become a three-time world champion. “To try and become a three-time World Heavyweight Champion.”
The promoter acknowledged the allure of a potential showdown with Tyson Fury, a fight that has long been anticipated by boxing fans. However, Fury’s recent retirement announcement has cast doubt on whether the highly anticipated clash will ever materialize.
Instead, Hearn revealed that Joshua’s immediate focus is on securing another shot at a world title. “If you said to AJ, ‘what do you want to do most next?’ He would say, ‘I want to fight the winner of Dubois/Parker. I want another shot at a World Heavyweight title.'”
Hearn dismissed claims that Joshua is avoiding tough opponents, pointing to his history of facing formidable fighters like Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr. “Come on, look at his resume,” Hearn challenged. “AJ wants to fight the best, he wants to challenge himself, and he wants to try and become undisputed.”
He highlighted Joshua’s willingness to take on challenging rematches, such as his immediate return bout against Ruiz after a shock defeat and his two encounters with Usyk.
The urgency of Joshua’s remaining fights was underscored by Hearn’s declaration that “we’ve probably only got another year left. Two fights, three fights max.”
This timeline suggests that Joshua is entering the final chapter of his career, with a focus on securing legacy-defining victories.
“So at this stage, it’s not like, ‘oh, how do we have a couple of easy fights to end a career?’ It’s like, excuse my French, I won’t say the word, but it’s like [s***] or bust,” Hearn passionately explained.
“It’s like, we’ve got nothing to preserve, we’ve got nothing to worry about, we’ve got nothing to hold on to. We’ve got nothing, other than the biggest draw in the division.”
The potential fight that still captivates British fans is the long-awaited clash between Joshua and Tyson Fury.
While Fury announced his retirement last month, marking his fifth such announcement, rumors persist that he may consider a return to the ring.
