Anthony Joshua sees himself having a long career after his resurgence against Otto Wallin in his last fight, reports boxingnews.com.
The Brit stopped Wallin in his first fight with Ben Davidson in a performance that echoed the previous Anthony Joshua of old. He stepped forward with his jab, followed by the right hand, to break Wallin’s nose. That led to the perception that Joshua had turned the corner in his attempts to become a three-time world champion.
Although that may be the case, there are still question marks over Joshua at the elite level. He came out second best to Oleksandr Usyk on two occasions. He is also seen as an underdog in any potential fight with Tyson Fury. Despite the background noise concerning his career, Joshua sees himself at the elite level for years to come.
“I’ve never left (the top level). I’ll always be (there). From the minute I’ve laced up these gloves from the amateurs until now, I’ve managed to keep my name at the top of the amateur and professional scenes. It’s just the truth, it’s just how it is, and I think it’ll be that way until I don’t want to fight anymore,” Joshua said.
He will have the chance to prove that all again when he faces Francis Ngannou in his next bout on March 8, 2024. The choice of opponent was criticised since it suggested that Joshua was not focusing on legacy. Ngannou’s only claim to fame in the ring was his performance against Fury on his boxing debut.
Despite losing a split decision, he pushed the WBC heavyweight champion, dropping him in the third round. He went the full distance, with some believing he had done enough to win. The victory earned him a top-ten ranking in the WBC, which may have legitimised his standing in front of the boxing fans.
“Ngannou’s fight @Tyson Fury was a spectacle. The fight with AJ is also a spectacle. Hats off to Ngannou for making the most of his opportunities. He’s done nothing wrong. This is just the HW division in the year 2024. (In my opinion), this fight adds ZERO credibility to AJ’s resume.
“He’s supposed to win this fight and when he does, what does he gain or learn by beating someone in his second HW fight? If he loses, (then) it’s an absolute disaster. The same stood for Fury and it almost cost him everything,” Lennon Lewis stated.
But the main reason Joshua took the fight is that the winner is in line for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the world. That could cap off a remarkable career for Joshua. But before he can do that, he must be ready for a hungry Ngannou. The former UFC heavyweight champion was underestimated in his fight against Fury. Joshua cannot afford to do that if he seriously desires to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
