The Anthony Joshua next fight news should arrive within the next few months. Until then, we look at three possible opponent options for the former heavyweight champ and recap his quick knockout of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
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Who Will Anthony Joshua Next Fight Be Against?
After putting a violent end to the Cinderella story of Francis Ngannou, “AJ” has set himself up for a massive showcase that could reunite him with the heavyweight belts that he lost in 2021. He is almost certain to return later in 2024. Here are three possible big names that he could face.
- Tyson Fury: This is the fight that the world has been begging for years. If Fury can get past Oleksandr Usyk in May, the stage is set to finally bring together the UK heavyweight stars.
- Oleksandr Usyk: A victory for Fury isn’t a foregone conclusion. If Usyk gets the job done, AJ may get the chance to avenge his pair of defeats and reclaim the titles he lost.
- Deontay Wilder: Wilder’s loss to Joseph Parker in December torpedoed plans to bring them together which, in turn, paved the way for Ngannou. While interest in the match up has been higher, there is still intrigue surrounding putting two of boxing’s heaviest punchers in front of one another.
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Recap
Francis Ngannou shocked the world with his surprising performance against a reportedly unmotivated Tyson Fury in 2023. Meanwhile Anthony Joshua was eyeing a match with Wilder following their appearances on December’s Day of Reckoning event. Joshua finished Otto Wallin as expected, but Wilder failed to live up to his end of the bargain when he dropped a decision to Parker.
What Happened: Unfortunately for Ngannou, Anthony Joshua took the MMA fighter very seriously. After a tense start that saw AJ absorb some hard punches, he used feints to set up a trap that put Ngannou on the canvas twice. Late in the second round, Joshua put his lights out with a thunderous right hand.
The Fallout: Anthony Joshua looked far removed from the man who lost three title fights within three years. After a stellar 2023 and a frightening finish of the lineal MMA champ, he might be ready to resume his prior dominance. It also, yet again, highlighted just how wide the gap is between boxers and MMA fighters.
The Roadmap: After years of anticipation and false starts, we might finally see Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury compete in 2024. Of course, Fury has to first defeat Usyk and then hope any rematch clauses don’t interfere.
What Makes Anthony Joshua So Popular?
Joshua has emerged as one of the most electrifying heavyweight boxers of this generation. He has not only proven himself to be one of the fight game’s most reliable finishers but he’s also been involved with his fair share of exciting wars. Here are some other interesting facts about “AJ.”
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- Anthony Joshua record: 27-3 (24 knockouts, 3 decisions)
- Anthony Joshua last fight: Joshua scored a fifth-round TKO on Otto Wallin in December 2023
- Anthony Joshua height: 6-foot-6
- Anthony Joshua won his first world title by second-round knockout over Charles Martin in 2016
- He has earned stoppages in 89% of his wins
- Joshua holds notable wins over Francis Ngannou, Otto Wallin, Andy Ruiz Jr., Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, Wladimir Klitschko, and Dillian Whyte
- Joshua won the gold medal in the 2012 Olympics just five years after entering a boxing gym
- The 34-year-old was born in England to Nigerian immigrants.
Anthony Joshua’s Net Worth
Joshua’s success in the ring has given him some hefty financial rewards. His net worth is estimated to be £180 million which converts to nearly $230 million.
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