At the start of 2021, Anthony Joshua’s short-term future appeared to be mapped out. A heavyweight showdown between the 31-year-old and his rival Tyson Fury was the fight that both men and the boxing public really wanted.
With dates being cited for the all-British encounter, the fight was firmly in the frame but the sport’s administrators had other ideas. With Fury set to take on Deontay Wilder for the third time, Joshua was paired with the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Disaster in North London
AJ was expected to ease past Usyk and keep on course for that showdown with Fury. The plans were still on course if seemingly delayed, but defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has put everything in doubt.
Oleksandr Usyk claimed Joshua’s belts and, as the man from Watford takes stock of that unexpected loss, he must carefully ponder his next move.
The Independent View
It will be some time before Anthony Joshua’s next opponent is confirmed so it’s a little surprising that the sportsbooks already have markets for potential fights. Joshua v Fury is the one that they are still talking about but, in the wake of that recent defeat, AJ has a lot of ground to make up.
According to boxing betting markets published by bookmakers linked to SBO.net, Fury is a hot favorite to win any prospective fight against Anthony Joshua. AJ is the outside option while there is a third market in place in the event of a draw.
If and when that fight is confirmed, SBO.net will update the markets as more sportsbooks get involved. Visitors to that site will also be able to study any news and opinion articles on boxing and the lively heavyweight division in particular.
Options for other potential fights, such as Joshua v Wilder, will also be in place with a range of side markets added, including Method of Victory and Round by Round betting. If any readers would like to get involved with those markets, all of the recommended sportsbooks will accept new customers.
A choice of ways in which to fund that new account will be available while security and effective customer service should be among the other benefits.
The bookmakers have had a say in regards to Anthony Joshua’s next opponent but what’s likely to be in store for the former Olympic Gold Medal winner?
The Most Likely Options
Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that there is a rematch clause in relation to the Joshua v Usyk fight as stated in matchroomboxing.com. AJ may well be keen to exercise that in order to put certain mistakes right and to prove that he is a better fighter than the Ukrainian.
He’s gone down this route before after that shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr but Usyk is a much better boxer. A second loss may just leave Joshua with nowhere to go.
There are other options for AJ if he wants a chance of landing a belt. His rivalry with Deontay Wilder has long been established and there could well be a match-up, depending on the outcome of the Wilder v Fury fight.
In short, Joshua’s next move could well depend on the result of Wilder v Fury 3 and whoever comes through that battle is likely to have AJ in their sights.
Fury has said that he was disappointed to see Joshua lose to Usyk as the defeat has affected future plans for both fighters. The British public wants it, the promoters want it, and it is stated on tyson2fastfury.co that Tyson Fury wants it but does Anthony Joshua possess the desire to step into the ring with the Gypsy King?
Is it all Over for Anthony Joshua?
Those two defeats against Usyk and Ruiz have put a blemish on what was a perfect record for Anthony Joshua. He’ll be 32 later in the year and it could, perhaps, be time to retire from the ring.
AJ has achieved everything that he wanted in the sport and, while there are one or two opponents left to pick off, he might just feel that he has nothing left to prove. It would be a shame if that were to happen as Joshua has plenty to offer and we hope to see him back in the ring before too long.