Dubois May Have Just Ended AJ’s Career with Brutal Loss
Matthew Macklin, former European middleweight champion, recently speculated on Sky Sports that Anthony Joshua might retire following his devastating loss to Daniel Dubois. Macklin noted that Joshua’s decision not to pursue an immediate rematch with Dubois is unsurprising and could signal the end of his career in the ring.
On September 21, 2024, Dubois stunned the boxing world by knocking out Joshua in the fifth round, successfully defending his IBF world title at Wembley Stadium. Joshua entered the fight with high confidence, following two consecutive victories under his new trainer, but the outcome was a resounding defeat that has cast doubt on his future.
The rematch between Joshua and Dubois, initially scheduled for February 2025, was canceled by Joshua, who cited it as being too soon after the loss. Speaking with Sky Sports, Macklin shared his thoughts: “Once the dust settled, I didn’t expect the rematch to happen. Personally, I think that could be it for Joshua.”
Macklin believes that at 34 years old, Joshua is at a critical juncture in his career, where such a heavy loss could significantly affect his confidence and future in boxing. “A loss like that takes a lot to come back from. At 34, you don’t improve, you just start going downhill,” said Macklin.
While Joshua takes time to consider his next move, Macklin suggested that the two-time world champion may choose to retire after a decade of success in the heavyweight division. “When the dust settles, Joshua will have time to reflect. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he decides not to box again. What a career he’s had,” Macklin added.
Meanwhile, Dubois is preparing for his next title defense against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in February 2025. Macklin sees this as a highly competitive match, with Parker in peak form following impressive wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
Although speculation continues about a potential fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury—especially if Fury defeats Oleksandr Usyk—Macklin remains unsure whether Joshua will have the desire to continue fighting. “A fight with Fury could still happen, but I don’t know if Joshua has the appetite for it anymore,” Macklin said.
Joshua’s future remains uncertain, with no official date for his return to the ring. However, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stated that Joshua will be ready to fight again in May or June 2025.
