Anthony Joshua’s defeat by Daniel Dubois affected those at the Ben Davison Performance Centre like “someone had died”, according to Moses Itauma.

The 35-year-old Joshua was in September stopped by Dubois in five unexpectedly one-sided and dramatic rounds, at the very least stalling the revival of his career that his trainer Ben Davison was considered to have overseen.

Joshua had impressed under Davison in victories over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, and in so doing further enhanced Davison’s reputation at a time when Joshua’s decision to recruit him had already provided a lift to those also at his gym.

The talented Itauma – widely considered among Joshua’s successors towards the very top of the heavyweight division – has perhaps benefitted by observing him while they have used the same facilities, and after his return to the gym in preparation for his fight on December 21 with Demsey McKean found it to be suffering as a consequence of Joshua’s defeat.

Fabio Wardley, another heavyweight, was by then preparing for the rematch with Frazer Clarke in October that he won with Davison in his corner, but the 19-year-old Itauma told BoxingScene: “The first week, the gym was like someone had died. But I’m happy that it’s like that, because if we got back in the gym and [Davison’s] lovey, dovey; happy; cheering, I’d be like, ‘AJ’s just got knocked out and you’re here…’, so I’m happy.

“The gym vibe – in the middle of pads I went and said, ‘Ben, you’ve gotta liven this up – there’s other people in this gym’. He was like, ‘Yeah, I know, mate, but it’s just…’ – and it’s kind of the energy I want. If that was me, getting knocked out, I don’t really want people to go to the gym and be happy. I want that – not passion – but that commitment from my trainer. If he came to the gym and was all happy, it’d show how much commitment he’s got.”

Itauma had been asked about the criticism of Davison in the aftermath of Dubois-Joshua when he had said so, and he also intriguingly said: “I know a few things, but it’s not my place to speak on it. Ben Davison’s a great trainer, and in time it shall show how good of a trainer he is.

“It’s just typical boxing, though, isn’t it? Even ‘AJ’ – everyone’s calling him ‘X, Y, Z’, because he’s had that one loss. People are forgetting what he’s done for British boxing. Before AJ, the boxing scene was dead, and now he’s revived it. People are always going to talk; they’re always going to have something to say.

“It’s just doing the best for you and your family and your circle. AJ didn’t really have to take that fight, and like he said, he took a shot at greatness and came up short.

“With me, with this fight, I’m not deluded. I do believe I’m going to go in there and knock him out, but there’s a possibility that could happen to me. I just train, and hope that that’s not me.”

Itauma in July stopped Mariusz Wach before taking the holiday his manager Francis Warren and his promoter, Francis’ father Frank, had wanted.

In his first 19 months as a professional prizefighter he had fought 10 times, but after travelling to the Paris Olympics, Cyprus and Spain with the satisfaction of knowing that he had recorded 10 victories, he revealed that he became agitated because of his desperation to return to the ring.

“I done everything I wanted to do,” he said ahead of the fight with McKean, of Australia, on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury II at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “I went to the Olympics; went Cyprus; went Spain a couple of times. Went back home [to Kent, England], to see the family; I went everywhere, pretty much. I did have a good holiday.

“When I was out in Spain, I was thinking, ‘I can’t wait to get back in the gym – I’m actually tired of this’. So, yeah, I needed it. When I’ve taken a break from boxing, I’ve realised how much I need it. It’s addictive. I just can’t be the one sitting around not doing anything. I have to do something. When I came back from my holiday I was eager to get back into the gym. Enjoying my life’s not really for me, because I don’t really deserve to enjoy it yet. I need to make an impact on boxing first. Not even in boxing – in people’s lives.

“I was calling him out, so when Demsey McKean was like, ‘Okay, we’re gonna give you the fight’, I’m like, ‘Yeah, let’s crack on – let’s not waste no time’.

“It wasn’t just him. I called out Demsey McKean; [David] Adeleye; [Solomon] Dacres. I called out everyone. Obviously McKean said, ‘Yeah, I’ll have a bit of that’, so we’re here now.

“It don’t bother me. At the end of the day I go in there and fight – that’s my job. Making fights happen is not my job. I just leave that down to my team. Maybe they [potential opponents] have got to make their money’s worth.

“Boxing’s my job – I get in the ring and fight. Whatever happens outside the ring, that’s not down to me. Let’s say I fight Johnny Fisher in a year or so. I wouldn’t care about the titles. It’s just me and Johnny, the two English heavyweights, coming up. We have to fight, title or no title. Maybe I am coming up; maybe I’m not. I don’t care. I just want to get in the ring.

“Maybe I do want [Daniel] Dubois, but not because of his titles – because he’s the heavyweight on the British scene. He’s number one. He’s seen as the best, and I want that. I’m not bothered about the titles, and X, Y, Z, because you’ve got to look at the rankings.

“Some of these guys, I’m like, ‘How are you ranked?’. I’m not too bothered about the titles. I just want to be the best, really, and I just want to make the best fights happen. Even with Demsey McKean – I’m pretty sure this is for the Commonwealth title. I’m not really too bothered. I just wanted to fight Demsey. That’s just how it is.”

anthony Joshua’s anticipated February rematch against Daniel Dubois is now uncertain, with promoter Eddie Hearn raising concerns over the quick recovery period. Joshua, who suffered a knockout loss to Dubois in September, has been focused on a comeback in Saudi Arabia.

However, Hearn hinted that a May rematch might be more realistic, explaining, “It’s a fast turnaround.” Despite Joshua’s desire to face Dubois again, Hearn is cautious about the timeline to ensure proper preparation.

Plans could also shift if Tyson Fury triumphs in his December rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, potentially setting up a high-stakes summer showdown between Fury and Joshua.

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged to RETIRE from boxing to prevent him from taking any more damage.

AJ’s career has been left in tatters after a devastating fifth-round knockout to Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.

Joshua was down four times before a brutal right hand ended it all.

And boxing legend Barry McGuigan – whose son Shane formerly coached Dubois – reckons a quicker finish is on the cards in a rematch.

McGuigan told Seconds Out: “I genuinely think it happens sooner in the rematch if Anthony has a rematch with Dubois.

“I think Dubious will knock him out earlier in the fight.”

Joshua, 35, looked set to rematch Dubois, 27, with a date in February in Saudi Arabia already pencilled in.

But his promoter Eddie Hearn has since revealed AJ is dealing with injuries from the first bout which threatens to scupper their rematch.

Instead, Joshua could look to return by May and will consider waiting to fight Tyson Fury, 36, who rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 37, on December 21.

But former featherweight world champion McGuigan urged AJ to hang up his gloves and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

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He said: “Anthony is an incredible fighter, he’s had incredible success. I think he should get out with his faculties intact.

“He doesn’t need to fight any more, he can retire and have a lovely life.

“He’s doing himself an injustice by fighting again. There is only one fighter on the way up, and one on the way down.

“Dubois is a very dangerous fighter and he’s only getting better.”

Former lightweight champion Anthony Crolla has advised Anthony Joshua to consider retirement from boxing if he is not motivated by the financial rewards.

Anthony Joshua, who suffered a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last month, has dropped to seventh in the heavyweight rankings. Despite Joshua’s desire for a comeback, Crolla suggests retirement may be the best option if the monetary incentives no longer hold appeal.

“There are some huge fights out there as Anthony Joshua is still a huge name,” Crolla said. “Monster paydays out there for him. If he’s not interested in that, then yeah, I think he should retire.”

Crolla acknowledges Joshua’s impressive career and contributions to British boxing. However, he questions Joshua’s ability to compete with Usyk, Fury, or even Dubois.

The potential rematch between Joshua and Dubois is a topic of discussion, with some believing it could be a turning point. However, Crolla suggests a victory wouldn’t necessarily mean a prolonged career.

“If he beats Daniel in the rematch, then call it a day,” Crolla said. “Unbelievable what you’ve done, you’ve avenged a one-sided loss, but that’s only up to him.”

‘Daniel Dubois sends ‘demons’ message to Anthony Joshua after brutal KO

Crolla also acknowledges the diminishing hype surrounding a potential Joshua vs. Fury fight. While the fight would still attract attention, Crolla believes it wouldn’t have the same excitement as it once did.

“There’s always going to be demand for an Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury fight, but is it going to be the same as what it once was? No,” Crolla said.

Anthony Joshua’s 28 day ban he received from boxing authorities, imposed in the aftermath of his loss has come to a conclusion. Now its up to the former champion to pick up the pieces of his career .

At 35 years of age Joshua might have one or two more fights left in him as he has been matched much harder than many fighters of his era.

At the time it was easy to pick Daniel Dubois to beat Anthony Joshua. Yet, most of the boxing community was asleep on this one figuring AJ had one more great fight in him. He indeed may but, he was living his own hype following his dramatic knockout against Ngannou.

“Riding high in April; Shot down in May. Thats Life!!,” said X user in post that referenced the Frank Sinatra song and Joshua’s knockout victory earlier this year.

Incredibly, Francis Ngannou has had a comeback win already. Ngannou broke down in tears following a first round KO win over Renan Ferreira this past weekend.

Some fighters are a rhythm fighters. AJ’s biggest enemy has long been not the man he faces across the ring when the bell rings but, the guy he see’s in the mirror. When his confidence allows himself to fight smartly like against Usyk. It would be that side of himself AJ must appeal to now as he prepares to once again rebuild from a devastating knockout loss.

Heavy-hands and big heart will only get so far as a glance across the ring last month would have proved a great example of. In his loss to Dubois, Anthony Joshua regressed as a fighter defensively. Gone was the foot work and slips that allowed him to go toe-to-toe with all time great Alexsander (Oleksander) Usyk.