Hall of Famer, Barry McGuigan has given some advice to Anthony Joshua about what he should do next.
Last Saturday night, Joshua fell victim to a fifth round stoppage at the hands of IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois, who was once trained by McGuigan’s son, Shane.
Despite the brutal nature of his defeat, ‘AJ’ has been adamant that he intends to carry on boxing and his promoter Eddie Hearn has stated he believes his man will look to jump straight into an immediate rematch.
Long awaited fights with Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury have also been earmarked for the 34-year-old, who now has four losses on his professional record.
And in his weekly column in The Mirror, McGuigan urged Joshua to forego those match-ups, as well as a second showdown with Dubois, and call time on his glittering 11-year career.
“Anthony Joshua is said to be weighing three possible opponents after his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois, one of whom is Dubois himself.
“My son Shane, who trained Dubois for two years, is an advocate of the latter. The other options are Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
“There is, however, a fourth, which I think he should take. Retirement.
“Not only is he carrying the physical wear and tear associated with heavy losses, there is mental scarring too, increasing the risk of the same outcome repeating.
“That said, he has more than earned the right to try to set the record straight if he so wishes.”
Joshua was struggling with Dubois from the first bell at Wembley Stadium, and was dropped four times before ‘Dynamite’ brought proceedings to a conclusive end in the fifth.
He has however received plaudits for the heart he showed in carrying on, and did momentarily have his man hurt before walking on to a fight-ending, short right hand.
Turki Alalshikh, the man behind the Riyadh Season-sponsored show, has reportedly stated he would like to see the two Brits run it back – which means it is more likely to happen that not.
