Former world champion Carl Froch has advised Anthony Joshua to resist the urge for an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois. Froch, a respected figure in the boxing world, believes that Joshua needs time to recover after his shocking fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
I don’t think jumping straight into a rematch with Dubois is the right move, Froch said. If the fight had played out differently, maybe there’d be a case for it. But right now, Joshua should return to the gym, do some light sparring, and wait to see how things unfold between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch. This will give him time to regroup and reflect on how much he really wants that fight.
Joshua’s defeat, which saw him knocked down several times before the final blow, has left the British-Nigerian boxer at a crossroads in his career. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently stated that the 34-year-old is still processing the loss.
It’s still fresh, just three weeks ago, Hearn said to DAZN. He’s devastated, but there’s a window within AJ’s contract to make a decision, and it’s not up yet. He’s resting his body and thinking carefully about his next move.
While Froch urges patience, others in the boxing community are calling for an immediate rematch. Veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora insists that Joshua should seek redemption without delay. He should go for the rematch right away, Chisora said on The Stomping Ground. Credit to Dubois, but Joshua needs to get back in there. What else is he going to do?
Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang also weighed in, backing Dubois to repeat his victory if they meet again. This loss mentally, I don’t know where it puts Joshua. I think a rematch could turn out even worse for him, Zhang told Seconds Out.
Though there’s no formal rematch clause, reports suggest Joshua has one fight left on his Riyadh Season deal. Both Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, and Dubois have expressed interest in setting up a rematch.
As Joshua considers his next steps, the IBF has imposed a deadline for Dubois to make a voluntary title defense, adding further pressure. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for Joshua, as he navigates the delicate balance between seeking immediate redemption and preparing thoroughly in a highly competitive and unpredictable heavyweight division.
