Anthony Joshua has 'one to three fights left' says Eddie Hearn

Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is in the final stages of his career and could hang up the gloves sooner rather than later according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

'AJ' played a pivotal role in raising the profile of boxing in the United Kingdom after winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics.

Professional success soon followed as the Watford man picked up the IBF world title by stopping Charles Martin in 2016.

Less than two years later, Joshua added the WBA and WBO versions, defeating Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker respectively.

His battle with Klitschko at Wembley Stadium broke the post-war attendance record for a boxing match in the U.K. with 90,000 fans packing out the venue.

In 2019, disaster struck as the Olympic gold medallist was halted in his U.S. debut by late replacement Andy Ruiz Jr.

In an immediate rematch, the Englishman was able to recapture his belts but has arguably not been the same fighter since.

Joshua has lost three of his last seven bouts, with his most recent defeat coming in his last fight, where he was dropped four times by Daniel Dubois before being stopped in the fifth round.

AJ has been out of the ring since last September as his return has been delayed as a result of injury, but he is on the verge of a comeback according to his promoter Eddie Hearn, but the Essex man believes Joshua’s illustrious career is coming to close.

“The next decision is really important,” Hearn told Boxing News. “[Joshua] probably has only got between maybe one and three fights left, so we want to get in right.

“He will return, I think, at the back end of the summer, certainly in 2025.

"When he went back to the gym he wasn’t able to punch properly, but he will be in three to four weeks. What we don’t want to do is come up with a date and physically he’s not ready to return. We are not in any tearing rush.”

Jake Paul bout a possibility for AJ?

A surprise rival has emerged as a potential future opponent for the former heavyweight king in the form of Jake Paul. The YouTuber-turned-boxer has called out AJ on his podcast and the Watford man responded by phoning the American.

Paul has claimed they discussed a possible clash between the pair in 2026. However, Hearn did not seem particularly enthused by the prospect.

“Who knows, in this mad world,” Hearn said when asked if he felt Joshua would take on Paul. “It’s not something we are banking on.

“Jake’s wild. I think he wants those big moments and he’s probably got enough people telling him he can be competitive in that fight. It’s extremely dangerous. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

With long-term rival Tyson Fury ostensibly retired, perhaps a clash with Paul could prove to be a lucrative alternative.

John MacDonald

• Anthony Joshua
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