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Former WBA super middleweight champion George Groves believes Tyson Fury’s decision to retire in January is unlikely to be permanent and that the recent struggles of Anthony Joshua could prompt Fury’s return to the ring, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Speaking to Express via Lottoland boxing betting, Groves expressed confidence that Fury will return once Joshua recovers from injury or surgery, predicting the bout could take place later this year, possibly in Saudi Arabia.

“They’ve both been boxing their entire lives. They’ve earned enough and achieved plenty, but they won’t leave the table while there’s still something left for them. They’ll fight each other, and I’d like to see it.

“I’m almost certain he’ll fight Anthony Joshua once Joshua recovers from injury or elbow surgery. That’ll probably be later this year, likely in Saudi Arabia. They’re both prize fighters,” he said.

Groves also addressed Fury’s multiple retirements, stressing that the 36-year-old’s announcement should not be taken at face value. He explained that retirement offers fighters certain freedoms, such as escaping the rigours of athletic discipline and regulatory obligations, but it does not necessarily signal the end of their career.

“He’s retired five times now, so we know retirement means nothing,” Groves said.

“There are benefits to retiring. You don’t have to live like an athlete anymore or adhere to British Boxing Board of Control requirements. He’s got no belt to be stripped, and if he comes out of retirement, as he’s done before, it might add value and excitement to the fight,” Groves added.

Evaluating the potential clash between the two heavyweights, Groves described the fight as a genuine “pick ‘em” contest. He assessed Fury as the heavier, more agile fighter with superior boxing intelligence and quicker hands but believes Joshua remains a formidable athlete, renowned for his powerful punches and extensive big-fight experience.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

The 37-year-old disagreed with Carl Froch’s recent claim that any bout between Fury and Joshua would be a “total mismatch” favouring Fury, stating firmly that it would not be a walkover.

“Joshua is still a great athlete, punches ridiculously hard, and has loads of big-fight experience. It comes down to who performs on the night, who wants it more, who’s got the most left. I disagree with Froch – I don’t think it’s a walkover.

“I think it’s a pick ‘em fight. Fury’s heavier, more agile, better boxing IQ, faster hands.”

Reflecting on Joshua’s dramatic knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, Groves described it as a significant blow to the former heavyweight champion’s career. He explained that Joshua appeared to underestimate Dubois, perhaps intending to start cautiously but was overwhelmed and knocked out decisively on one of the sport’s biggest stages, highlighting the serious toll on Joshua’s physical and mental reserves.

“Joshua’s last loss to Daniel Dubois was pretty devastating. Dubois got it right that night; he jumped on Joshua, who probably wanted to ease into the fight.”

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is a ’50/50′ pick ’em as Gypsy King’s retirement dismissed

Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing in January, but many are still holding out hope that the Gypsy King will return to the ring to face Anthony Joshua

English boxing icons George Groves and Ricky Hatton agree that Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is a pick ’em fight.

After Fury announced his fifth retirement from boxing in January, the chances of a fight materializing seemed bleak. Yet, given his history of walking away from the sport and later returning, fans remain skeptical about his decision to call it quits.

While former British champion Carl Froch recently dubbed the fight a “total mismatch” in Fury’s favor should a bout come to fruition, former WBA super-lightweight champion Groves doesn’t see it the same way. Speaking to Express.co.uk via Lottoland, boxing betting, Groves said: “Joshua’s last loss to Daniel Dubois was pretty devastating.

“Dubois got it right that night, he jumped on Joshua, who probably wanted to ease into the fight. He wasn’t able to, and he got knocked out badly, on the biggest stage, at the tail end of his career. That’s serious mileage.

“But Fury’s also had back-to-back losses, maybe three if you include the [Francis] Ngannou fight, which didn’t impress. He was lucky to get the decision. Then he lost twice to [Oleksandr] Usyk.

“That’s probably just as mentally draining as Joshua’s loss to Dubois. I think it’s a pick ’em fight. Fury’s heavier, more agile, better boxing IQ, faster hands. Joshua is still a great athlete, punches ridiculously hard, and has loads of big-fight experience. It comes down to who performs on the night, who wants it more, who’s got the most left. I disagree with Froch – I don’t think it’s a walkover.”

Former light-welterweight champion Hatton, meanwhile, shared a similar stance in conversation with Vegas Insider. He said: “It’s a tough one, I think it’s 50/50, I wouldn’t say either would be the favourite.

“AJ, the way he was in the corner even before he was knocked out, was a little bit casual, and I think he took Daniel Dubois lightly. He was that convinced before the fight, going into the fight, and even during the fight.

“He’s very laid back so maybe I am giving him a bit of a disservice, but he did look like he thought he was the better man and just needed to turn up to beat Daniel…I know he is a laid-back type but I think he took his eye off the ball with Daniel and you can’t do something like that with Daniel.”

After a contentious split-decision victory over Francis Ngannou in 2023, Fury experienced consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. These were the first two defeats of his professional career and also cost him the opportunity to achieve undisputed heavyweight glory.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

With the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles at stake, Fury narrowly lost to the undefeated Ukrainian via split-decision in May 2024. Then, just four days before Christmas, Usyk confirmed his superiority with a unanimous decision win over the Gypsy King in an immediate rematch.

At the start of the new year, Fury announced his retirement from boxing on social media. However, Groves isn’t convinced that the 36-year-old is truly done with the sport. He added: “He’s retired five times now, so we know retirement means nothing.

“There are benefits to retiring. You don’t have to live like an athlete anymore or adhere to British Boxing Board of Control requirements. He’s got no belt to be stripped, and if he comes out of retirement, as he’s done before, it might add value and excitement to the fight.

“I’m almost certain he’ll fight Anthony Joshua once Joshua recovers from injury or elbow surgery. That’ll probably be later this year, likely in Saudi Arabia. They’re both prize fighters.

“They’ve both been boxing their entire lives. They’ve earned enough and achieved plenty, but they won’t leave the table while there’s still something left for them. They’ll fight each other – and I’d like to see it.”

IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has told former rival Anthony Joshua he should retire from professional boxing following their explosive encounter at Wembley Stadium last year.

Dubois made the first defence of his IBF World Title against Joshua, knocking his countryman out in the fifth round of their showdown at Wembley Stadium in London, handing the two-time unified champion the fourth defeat of his career.

Speaking to Seconds Out months after the fight, Dubois was blunt in his assessment of Joshua’s future prospects, saying, “Does he want some more? He should retire in my opinion.”

The devastating knockout defeat has sparked widespread debate about whether the 35-year-old from Watford should call time on his professional career, which began in 2013 just months after he captured Olympic gold at the London Games in 2012.

Despite the calls for retirement from boxing fans, pundits, and now his conqueror, Joshua appears determined to fight on and is edging closer to a return to the ring with talks underway for a two-fight deal that could begin later this year in Saudi Arabia.

The former heavyweight champion has been out of action in 2024 following elbow surgery, which was successfully completed in May. However, he has been actively planning his comeback behind the scenes.

Earlier this month, Joshua revealed in an interview with ESPN Mexico that he was targeting a December return, dependent on his recovery. Momentum is now building around a potential deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season to stage his comeback.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed current discussions involve a two-fight plan, telling Boxing Scene, “We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season.

“Turki Alalshikh said that on the night of Canelo’s fight on May 3, when we had our meeting. And that’s the plan really, we want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.”

One option for Joshua could be a rematch against Dubois, who is currently in preparations for a second encounter with former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium on July 19. However, should Dubois beat Usyk, he will be ordered to face a mandatory challenger, with Joseph Parker first in line. Whether he would drop a belt to make a lucrative rematch with Joshua remains to be seen.

Anthony Joshua

At the top of Joshua’s hit list is Tyson Fury, but ‘The Gypsy King’ has been in retirement since January and is adamant he will not be fighting again.

In a recent video message, Fury firmly stated his retirement stance, saying, “I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what?

“What would I return for? I’m in no rush at all to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. I am retired and I am staying retired.”

Hearn confirmed that Joshua’s camp is keeping a watchful eye on the outcome of Dubois versus Usyk, as well as the uncertain future of Fury.

“We’ll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we’ll see what happens with Fury,” Hearn said.

“And if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight someone else, and then maybe follow one of those guys next year.”

Despite the setback against Dubois, Joshua’s financial standing remains robust. The British-Nigerian boxing star has emerged richer than England football captain Harry Kane and heavyweight rival Tyson Fury, with his net worth soaring to €232m according to the newly published Sunday Times Rich List.

Speculation with regards to a showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been rife after the Gypsy King announced his retirement from boxing in January

George Groves agrees with Ricky Hatton that Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is a pick ’em fight.

The Gypsy King poured water on any hopes of a showdown with his long-time rival in January when he announced his retirement from boxing, but as Fury has retired five times in total now, many fight fans have understandably taken his most recent step-back with a pinch of salt.

Despite both achieving world championship status at heavyweight and being on a collision course for most of their respective careers, Fury and AJ have never managed to set a date to meet in the squared circle. And while Carl Froch last month said that it would be a “total mismatch” in Fury’s favour should a fight come to fruition in the near future, former WBA super middleweight champion Groves sees it differently.

In an exclusive interview with Express via Lottoland, boxing betting, Groves said: “Joshua’s last loss to Daniel Dubois was pretty devastating. Dubois got it right that night, he jumped on Joshua, who probably wanted to ease into the fight.

“He wasn’t able to, and he got knocked out badly, on the biggest stage, at the tail end of his career. That’s serious mileage.

“But Fury’s also had back-to-back losses, maybe three if you include the [Francis] Ngannou fight, which didn’t impress. He was lucky to get the decision.

“Then he lost twice to [Oleksandr] Usyk. That’s probably just as mentally draining as Joshua’s loss to Dubois. I think it’s a pick ’em fight. Fury’s heavier, more agile, better boxing IQ, faster hands.

“Joshua is still a great athlete, punches ridiculously hard, and has loads of big-fight experience. It comes down to who performs on the night, who wants it more, who’s got the most left. I disagree with Froch – I don’t think it’s a walkover.”

It comes as Stockport-born former light welterweight champion, Hatton, agreed that it would be a tough fight to call. Speaking to Vegas Insider, the 46-year-old said: “It’s a tough one, I think it’s 50/50, I wouldn’t say either would be the favourite.

“AJ, the way he was in the corner even before he was knocked out, was a little bit casual, and I think he took Daniel Dubois lightly. He was that convinced before the fight, going into the fight, and even during the fight.

“He’s very laid back so maybe I am giving him a bit of a disservice, but he did look like he thought he was the better man and just needed to turn up to beat Daniel…I know he is a laid-back type but I think he took his eye off the ball with Daniel and you can’t do something like that with Daniel.”

 Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

Off the back of a controversial split-decision win over Francis Ngannou in 2023, Fury suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, not only seeing the first two defeats of his professional career, but also missing out on the chance to taste undisputed glory at heavyweight.

With the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles on the line, Fury narrowly missed out to the undefeated Ukrainian via split-decision in May 2024, before Usyk erased any doubts whatsoever by securing a unanimous decision win over the Gypsy King in an instant rematch just four days before Christmas.

Fury then took to social media at the turn of the year to announce his retirement from the sport. However, Groves isn’t convinced that the 36-year-old is truly finished with the sport. He added: “He’s retired five times now, so we know retirement means nothing.

“There are benefits to retiring. You don’t have to live like an athlete anymore or adhere to British Boxing Board of Control requirements. He’s got no belt to be stripped, and if he comes out of retirement, as he’s done before, it might add value and excitement to the fight.

“I’m almost certain he’ll fight Anthony Joshua once Joshua recovers from injury or elbow surgery. That’ll probably be later this year, likely in Saudi Arabia. They’re both prize fighters.

“They’ve both been boxing their entire lives. They’ve earned enough and achieved plenty, but they won’t leave the table while there’s still something left for them. They’ll fight each other – and I’d like to see it.”

Daniel Dubois Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Anthony Joshua Should Fight Again Or Retire For Good

Daniel Dubois has shared his thoughts on whether former rival Anthony Joshua should call time on his professional career.

Dubois made the first defence of his IBF World Title last year against Joshua, knocking his countryman out in the fifth round of their showdown at Wembley Stadium in London, handing the two-time unified champion the fourth defeat of his career.

After suffering another devastating defeat, many boxing fans and pundits have questioned whether ‘AJ’ should finally draw the curtain on his career, which began back in 2013 just months after he captured an Olympic gold medal at the London games in 2012.

Despite this, the 35-year-old from Watford looks as though he is going to fight on, the plan being to make a return to the ring before the end of the year.

One option for Joshua could be a rematch against Dubois, who is currently in preparations for a second encounter with former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk who he locks horns with at Wembley Stadium on July 19.

Speaking to Seconds Out months after the fight, however, Dubois said he believes the 35-year-old should make the decision to retire.

“Does he want some more? He should retire in my opinion”

At the top of Joshua’s hit list is Tyson Fury, however ‘The Gypsy King’ has been in retirement since January and is adamant he will not be fighting again. Should Dubois beat Usyk he will be ordered to face a mandatory challenger, the first of which is Joseph Parker. Whether or not he would drop a belt to make a lucrative ‘AJ’ rematch remains to be seen.

Anthony Joshua pleads with Team GB OIympian Delicious Orie to make retirement U-turn as he quits after one fight

ANTHONY JOSHUA has pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider his decision to retire.

Orie was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 Olympics but soon turned professional with Frank Warren – after snubbing an offer from the WWE.

The heavyweight won his debut against Milos Veletic in April – but laboured over the four rounds.

And only a month later and the 27-year-old announced he was retiring from boxing after just one pro bout.

But AJ – who used to spar Orie – spoke out to urge the Russian-born Brit not to walk away just yet.

He wrote on Instagram: “History repeats itself. Many of us wanted to stop at some stage.

“Some at the start, some in the middle and at some point all of us will have to stop.

“I think you should take your time but keep training! You have skills & have talent.”

Joshua accompanied the message with an old interview with Michael Spinks – the 1976 Olympic gold medalist – who later won world titles.

Anthony Joshua

In the clip, Spinks was telling KO TV: “I heard boxing was not a pretty business for the boxers and also I was a little afraid of that.

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“I didn’t know how I well I would fare in the industry. So I just wanted to get a good job after winning the gold medal and then let that be.

“But things happened that pushed me into the pros and I just talking it one step at a time. I didn’t know I would go as far as I did.”

Despite Spinks’ concerns over turning pro, he would win world titles at light-heavyweight and heavyweight.

He also famously lost to Mike Tyson in 1988 – his final bout before retiring.

And Orie – like Spinks – credited wanting to get a job outside the ring as a reason for not wanting to fight on any further.

He posted: “After much reflection, I have decided to hang up my gloves and retire from boxing to follow up on my degree and enter the corporate world.

“This sport has given me so much — incredible memories, unforgettable experiences travelling the world and many opportunities to represent my country at the biggest stages in the world. Forever grateful for the journey.

“Over time, I’ve come to recognise that the same fire and love I once had for boxing has gradually faded.

“As I’ve grown, I’ve come to value clarity and honesty with myself above all.

“I hoped that turning professional would reignite the passion, but the truth has become clear: it hasn’t.

“Every fighter knows you need a deep love for the craft to reach the top — and without it, there’s no path forward.

“Out of respect for the sport and for myself, it’s time to step away with honesty.”

Barry McGuigan Makes Emphatic KO Prediction For Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “He’ll Catch Him”

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, despite the latter’s retirement, could be heading towards an all-British heavyweight banger.

The two former champions have both lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and, without a shot at a title on the horizon, are free from conflicts, mandatories and ego to make the long-awaited fight happen.

Hall of Fame fighter Barry McGuigan, writing for The Mirror, feels like most that the right time for the fight is now

“Joshua is enjoying a break after the loss to Daniel Dubois. The truth is this fight has never made more sense. Both have lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk, and Joshua is processing that devastating defeat to Dubois.”

When it comes down to a prediction, McGuigan is firmly backing ‘AJ.’

“Joshua is more physically imposing, and the last thing you lose is your punch. Fury is not a devastating hitter. He uses his skills and physical attributes to wear down opponents.

“Joshua is the more dangerous, the harder puncher with the greater explosiveness, qualities you retain right to the end. Fury could outbox him for a couple of rounds, but he would reach Fury at some point.

“Fury has the longer reach by three inches, but when the other man is 6ft 6in with a reach of 82ins, it’s hardly significant. Styles make fights and I believe Fury is just right for Joshua. I would have favoured him at their peaks and I would now.

“Fury’s style suits Joshua. There is a lot to hit. Fury has quick hands but I think AJ walks him onto a right hand. And if he did that he would be right back in the picture.”

As of writing, Fury is standing by his retirement, though fans feel that he will still make a u-turn on that position in the coming months.

Anthony Joshua is edging closer to a return to the ring, with talks underway for a two-fight deal that could begin later this year in Saudi Arabia, The PUNCH reports.

The 35-year-old former heavyweight champion has been out of action in 2024 following elbow surgery, which was successfully completed in May.

Despite his absence from the ring, Joshua has been actively planning his comeback behind the scenes.

Earlier this month, Joshua revealed in an interview with ESPN Mexico that he was targeting a December return, dependent on his recovery. Now, momentum is building around a potential deal with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season to stage his comeback.

Reports from NoSmoke Sport initially suggested a three-fight deal was on the table, but Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has refuted that claim, clarifying that current discussions involve a two-fight plan.

“That’s not true,” Hearn told Boxing Scene.

“We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season. Turki Alalshikh said that on the night of Canelo’s fight on May 3, when we had our meeting. And that’s the plan really, we want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.”

Joshua has not fought since suffering a fifth-round knockout defeat to fellow Briton Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.

That result has reshaped the heavyweight picture, with Dubois now set to face champion Oleksandr Usyk in another Wembley blockbuster.

Hearn confirmed that Joshua’s camp is keeping a watchful eye on the outcome of Dubois versus Usyk, as well as the uncertain future of Tyson Fury.

“We’ll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we’ll see what happens with Fury,” Hearn said.

Anthony Joshua

“And if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight someone else, and then maybe follow one of those guys next year.”

Amid speculation of a high-profile rematch or grudge match, the prospect of Tyson Fury’s return to the sport had circulated. But the former WBC champion shut down such rumours in a video message, firmly stating his retirement stance.

“I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? What would I return for?” Fury said.

“I’m in no rush at all to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. I am retired and I am staying retired. I have nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to return for.”

While clashes with the likes of Usyk or Fury remain uncertain, other potential opponents for Joshua have been named, including American heavyweight Jared Anderson and long-time British rival Dillian Whyte.

“Two guys that have been discussed, but nothing concrete,” Hearn confirmed.

Anderson recently returned to winning ways with a unanimous decision over Marios Kollias in February, after suffering a knockout defeat to Martin Bakole in Los Angeles.

Anthony Joshua in talks for a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season

Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) hasn’t fought yet this year, but it’s now been revealed that he is targeting a comeback in the last quarter of 2025.

Watford’s Joshua was last in the ring in September 2024 when he was dominated by fellow Brit Daniel Dubois over five rounds at Wembley Stadium, losing out on his quest to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

That fourth defeat of his career had followed on from a four-fight win streak against lower-level competition in Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.

Prior to that run, AJ had lost back-to-back bouts with Oleksandr Usyk, who is preparing to fight Dubois on July 19.

After recovering from an injury earlier this year, Joshua is now targeting his ring return, which Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shed some light on when talking to BoxingScene.

Hearn revealed that Joshua “wants to box sometime this year – October, November, December.”

He spoke with Turki Alalshikh on the night of Canelo vs William Scull on May 3, “Yeah, we are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season.”

He also gave an indication as to who they are targeting, “We’ll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we’ll see what happens with Fury. And if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight, and then maybe we’ll follow one of those guys next year.”

In terms of who AJ could fight instead of Dubois, Usyk or Fury, Hearn loosely said, “Two guys have been discussed, but nothing concrete.”

According to TalkSport, those “two guys” are Dillian Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs) and Jared Anderson (18-1, 15 KOs).

AJ and Dillian Whyte already fought, back in 2015. Joshua got revenge over his amateur rival with a seventh-round stoppage to win the vacant British heavyweight title, which had formerly been held by Tyson Fury. Four months later, he was crowned world champion for the first time.

Joshua and Whyte were all set to run it back in August 2023, until Dillian pulled out on fight week due to adverse findings in his drug tests. After a lengthy legal case, he was eventually cleared, but missed out on the lucrative rematch as well as 16 months of his boxing career.

Whyte has since defeated the Cristian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh in March and December 2024, respectively. Now 37, he was meant to fight Joe Joyce last April, but was forced to withdraw via injury. But now “The Body Snatcher” from Brixton is eager to get back out again.

Ohio’s Jared Anderson, 25, was enjoying a meteoric rise through the heavyweight ranks until it all came crashing down after a fifth-round KO at the hands of Martin Bakole in August 2024.

The double U.S. National amateur champion has since bounced back with a dominant unanimous decision win over Greek fighter Marios Kollias on Valentines Day this year.

The American is still highly-rated in terms of ability and potential, plus he is stock is still elevated, ranked in four of the five governing bodies, whereas Whyte’s inactivity has seen him drop out of the top 10.

Anthony Joshua hasn’t fought yet this year, but it’s not been revealed that he is targeting a comeback in the last quarter of 2025.

Joshua was last in the ring in September 2024 when he was dominated by fellow Brit Daniel Dubois over five rounds at Wembley Stadium.

That third defeat of his career had followed on from a four-fight win streak against lower-level competition in Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.

Prior to that run, AJ had lost back-to-back bouts with Oleksandr Usyk, who is preparing to fight Dubois on July 19.

After recovering from an injury earlier this year, Joshua is now targeting his ring return, which Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shed some light on when talking to BoxingScene.

Hearn revealed that Joshua “wants to box sometime this year – October, November, December.”

He spoke with Turki Alalshikh on the night of Canelo vs William Scull on May 3, “Yeah, we are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season.”

He also gave an indication as to who they are targeting, “We’ll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk, we’ll see what happens with Fury. And if we don’t fight those guys, we’ll fight, and then maybe we’ll follow one of those guys next year.”

In terms of who AJ could fight instead of Dubois, Usyk or Fury, Hearn loosely said, “Two guys have been discussed, but nothing concrete.”

According to TalkSport, those “two guys” are Dillian Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs) and Jared Anderson (18-1, 15 KOs).

AJ and Dillian Whyte already fought, back in 2015. Joshua got revenge over his amateur rival with a seventh-round stoppage to win the vacant British heavyweight title. Four months later, he was crowned world champion for the first time.

Joshua and Whyte were all set to run it back in the summer of 2023, until Dillian pulled out on fight week due to adverse findings in his drug tests. After a lengthy legal case, he was eventually cleared, but missed out on the lucrative rematch as well as 16 months of his boxing career.

Anthony Joshua 

Whyte has since defeated the Cristian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh in March and December 2024, respectively. Now 37, he was meant to fight Joe Joyce last April, but was forced to withdraw through injury. “The Body Snatcher” from Brixton is eager to get back out again.

Ohio’s Jared Anderson, 25, was enjoying a meteoric rise through the heavyweight ranks until it all came crashing down after a fifth-round KO at the hands of Martin Bakole in August 2024.

The double U.S. National amateur champion has since bounced back with a dominant unanimous decision win over Greek fighter Marios Kollias on Valentines Day this year.

The American is still highly-rated in terms of ability and potential, plus he is stock is still elevated, ranked in four of the five governing bodies, whereas Whyte’s inactivity has seen him drop out of the top 10.