Joshua – who has not fought since losing to Daniel Dubois last September – is hoping to return to the ring later this year following successful elbow surgery
Mihai Nistor – who famously became the first fighter to knock out Anthony Joshua – has called for a rematch with the Brit.
The 34-year-old Romanian – who fought 64 times in major amateur bouts – went head-to-head with Joshua in the quarter-finals of the European Championships in Turkey back in 2011. Nistor amassed quite an impressive record as an amateur before turning professional back in 2019.
Since then, the heavyweight star has won all eight of his professional bouts, winning all by knockout. However, it has been over a year since he was last seen in the ring. Despite the inactivity, Nistor believes he is not far off of top world level and is prepared to sign a deal to face Joshua if boxing promoter Eddie Hearn sends an offer his way.
In an interview with World Boxing News, he said: “I’d love to box again with my former rivals. If I could box against Joshua and Usyk again, that would be my goal. But right now, I’m not just with them. I have been continuing to win fights. I’m a bit disappointed with my career.
“I was held back for about two years because of the pandemic. I am confident and convinced that I will make it to the level of Joshua and Usyk.” Joshua has not fought since suffering a brutal knockout defeat to British rival Daniel Dubois last September. The loss put an end to Joshua’s recent good run of form in the ring after losing back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk.
On Joshua’s defeats to Usyk, Nistor added, “I believe Usyk defeated Joshua through superior technique and tactics. He wanted the victories more. I think Joshua’s behaviour can be explained by the fact that losing for the second time made the defeat even more painful. I believe that after the defeats to Usyk, Joshua didn’t recover mentally enough. I think that led to the loss against Dubois. He wasn’t focused.”
Regarding his own future, Nistor concluded: “I expect to get back in the ring soon. In June or July, I’ll be back and ready for anyone.” Joshua is aiming to return to competitive boxing before the end of the year, following elbow surgery. On the topic of a return to the ring, ‘AJ’ said last month: “When do you want me back, people? I’m trying to get my body right. I have got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow. A small surgery sometime in May. I’m finalising the details… that will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I will be back.”
Joshua has not given up hope of finally realising a bout with Fury. The Brit is not convinced that his rival’s retirement is final and appears confident that a fight could still materialise. In a recent post uploaded to Snapchat, Joshua shared an image of himself watching Fury fight, saying: “One of these days I’ll be standing in the opposite corner. Ready and fully charged spiritually.”
