IBF heavyweight champion, Daniel Dubois, has stirred up fresh debate within the boxing world after publicly advising former world champion Anthony Joshua to retire from professional boxing. The suggestion comes months after Dubois handed Joshua a brutal fifth-round knockout defeat during their blockbuster showdown at Wembley Stadium last year—marking the fourth career loss for the British-Nigerian boxing icon.
Speaking in a recent interview with Seconds Out, the 26-year-old Dubois was forthright in his assessment of Joshua’s future in the sport, saying: “Does he want some more? He should retire in my opinion.” The remarks come as Joshua continues to recover from elbow surgery he underwent in May 2024, while also quietly working on a potential return to the ring later in the year.
Joshua, now 35, first turned professional in 2013 after winning Olympic gold for Team GB at the London 2012 Games. Over the past decade, he has gone on to become one of the most recognizable faces in global boxing, capturing the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles before suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and most recently, to Dubois.
While calls for him to retire have grown louder—from boxing fans, commentators, and now his latest conqueror—Joshua appears determined to continue his career. Talks are reportedly progressing toward a two-fight deal as part of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, with his team eyeing a possible return as early as December 2025.
Confirming ongoing discussions, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing Scene, “We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season. Turki Alalshikh said that on the night of Canelo’s fight on May 3, when we had our meeting. And that’s the plan really. We want to box sometime this year—October, November, December.”
In a separate interview with ESPN Mexico, Joshua also revealed he is hopeful of making a comeback before the end of the year, depending on his rehabilitation progress. Among the possible opponents being considered is a high-stakes rematch with Dubois, although the road to that bout may be complicated.
Dubois is currently preparing for a blockbuster clash against former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on July 19. Should he emerge victorious, he could be mandated to defend his title against Joseph Parker, who is next in line as a mandatory challenger. Whether Dubois would consider relinquishing a belt in favour of a more lucrative Joshua rematch remains to be seen.
Another name that continues to linger in Joshua’s orbit is Tyson Fury, the self-styled “Gypsy King”. However, Fury has repeatedly stated he has no intention of returning to the ring. In a recent video message, he said: “I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? I am retired and I am staying retired.”
Hearn confirmed that Joshua’s camp is monitoring developments in both the Dubois vs Usyk and Fury situations. “We’ll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we’ll see what happens with Fury,” he remarked. “And if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight someone else, and then maybe follow one of those guys next year.”
Despite the recent setbacks inside the ring, Anthony Joshua’s financial empire remains formidable. According to the latest edition of the Sunday Times Rich List, Joshua’s net worth has soared to an estimated €232 million, placing him above England football captain Harry Kane and even surpassing Tyson Fury in wealth. This financial success underscores Joshua’s enduring marketability and influence beyond the ropes.
As the heavyweight division braces for another shake-up in the months ahead, fans are left to wonder whether Joshua will silence his critics with a successful comeback—or take heed of Dubois’ call and bow out with his legacy intact.
