Is Anthony Joshua too old? Coach Tony Sims weighs in

Trainer Tony Sims points out that Anthony Joshua’s recent setback in his loss to Daniel Dubois is a sign that he has aged, as all fighters do sooner or later if they stick around sport

Matching carefully

Joshua can still win if he combines carefully, as his promoter Eddie Hearn had done for him recently, leading up to his knockout loss to Dubois. AJ has enough left to beat Tyson Fury and move on, but Hearn would need to match him with those who don’t.

The 35-year-old Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) suffered his fourth career loss, losing to IBF heavyweight champion Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) by knockout in the fifth rounds on September 21 in front of a large crowd. of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London.

Joshua had looked good in his previous four fights against fine opposition, but was outmatched against Dubois and was knocked down four times in the fight.

At one point, it looked like the referee was going to stop the contest in the fourth round after Joshua was dropped, but he seemed to change his mind when he saw AJ get up. Many felt the fight should have been called off.

“He’s had a fantastic career, but everyone gets old. There’s always young people coming in, and Daniel Dubois was that young man coming through,” Tony Sims said in Secondsout, talking about Anthony Joshua. “There will be a day when I’m Joshua’s age (34) and someone else will come along, and that’s how boxing evolves.

“The great champions grow old and the young ones arrive. It’s a part of the story that happens. I think that’s what happened. Joshua has had a great career. What he has done for our sport is incredible. He brought stadiums, massive stadiums, packing the O2 Arenas. He brought boxing to the forefront in Britain.

“It’s a short career. One minute, you’re the guy in the gym, and the next minute, you’re the biggest guy in the gym, and that’s how fast it goes. This is what I thought happened. Everyone moves on, and now it’s Dubois’ turn. One day, it will be another young man’s time. Maybe Moses Itauma who will come to the table when his time is right. It’s just age, and that’s what happens.

Joshua has only lost to these three fighters:

– Andy Ruiz
– Oleksandr Usyk x 2
– Daniel Dubois

It’s not like Joshua has lost too many different fighters during his career, and he still has the power, speed and skills to keep winning for another decade.

What’s next for Joshua?

“He is a very, very rich man, perhaps one of the richest to ever come from these shores. He doesn’t have to fight, but if he does, he’s going to look at Tyson Fury,” Sims said.

The promoters are already talking about Joshua fighting Tyson Fury next, and there’s a good chance we’ll see that happen. Joshua has opted out of a rematch with Daniel Dubois, and won’t risk facing Oleksandr Usyk again after losing twice to him. There aren’t any other compelling fights for him in the division that fans want to see AJ in besides Fury.