Home Boxing Anthony Joshua Offered Major Heavyweight Battle If Daniel Dubois Refuses Rematch, Saying, ‘I’LL SIGN NOW’

Anthony Joshua Offered Major Heavyweight Battle If Daniel Dubois Refuses Rematch, Saying, ‘I’LL SIGN NOW’

Boxing — 10/04/2024

Anthony Joshua dominated the heavyweight boxing landscape for a number of years. He won the IBF championship and made a name for himself by stopping big names like Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker en route to becoming the undisputed champion. Joshua’s career path changed, though, in June 2019, with a stunning upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden during his U.S. debut. Later that year, in Saudi Arabia, Joshua triumphed decisively on points to successfully get revenge for that setback.

Joshua faced a difficult battle in back-to-back fights against Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, during which he lost his belts, even if he managed to regain some glory with a victory over Kubrat Pulev. After stopping Tyson Fury in May, Usyk went on to become the unchallenged champion.

In September, Joshua had another defeat in his attempt to reclaim the heavyweight title when he was repeatedly knocked down by Daniel Dubois, the IBF champion. Joshua lost the fight via stoppage in the fifth round. A possible rematch with Dubois is still in the distance as Joshua mulls over his options, but Zhilei Zhang has now called him out.

Zhang said he was ready to enter the ring and was looking to exact revenge on Joshua for losing to him at the 2012 Olympics. He said, “Eddie is calling the shots right now,” in an interview with Boxing News. I’ll sign the contract tomorrow, assuming Eddie sends it to me. I want to reclaim the Olympic defeat in London, so I’m quite intrigued.

Anthony Joshua tụt hạng thê thảm sau trận thua Daniel Dubois

Zhang is eager to establish himself but is especially driven to take on Joshua after his recent stoppage wins over opponents like Deontay Wilder and Joe Joyce. He also alluded to the prospect of competing in Beijing’s National Stadium, also known as The Bird’s Nest, thereby realizing a lifelong ambition of his to display his skills in front of his own audience.

 

It is unclear if Joshua’s team believes that taking on the Chinese southpaw would be worth it in order to potentially face Dubois again. The heavyweight division is changing, both fighters are aiming to contend for titles again, and fans are excited for the next installment of this legendary rivalry.