Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is facing calls to retire after his knockout defeat to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois on Saturday.
The suggestion came from former boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed, who believes it’s time for Joshua to walk away from the sport following his fourth professional loss.
In an interview with iFL TV, Hamed shared his thoughts: “Whether he can or he can’t, I’d prefer him not to. He’s had his day in the sun like we all have. He’s done great; he’s won amazing world titles; he’s defended them; he’s earned his dough. Listen, he should bow out gracefully, and that’s it, done.”
At 34, Joshua was knocked down multiple times before a powerful right hand in the fifth round ended his bid to reclaim the heavyweight crown. Despite this, Joshua dismissed any talk of retirement.
“I want to continue fighting. We took a shot, and we came up short. What are we going to do—walk away? We’re going to live another day,” Joshua responded defiantly after the fight.
Hamed, who retired at 28 with an impressive record of 36 wins and just one loss, voiced his concerns for Joshua, pointing out the risks of continuing in such a gruelling sport, particularly after taking heavy blows.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed plans to trigger a rematch clause from the fight contract.
Despite the loss, Hearn remains confident that Joshua can still compete at the top level, hinting at a potential rematch or a major fight in Saudi Arabia as part of the Riyadh Season.
However, Hamed’s call for Joshua to retire reflects the growing concern about his future, especially after several setbacks. Having lost his unified titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and now suffering another crushing defeat, the road back to the top looks increasingly tough for the British-Nigerian fighter.
Meanwhile, Dubois has received widespread praise for his performance. The 25-year-old delivered a dominant display, cementing his place among the heavyweight elite. His victory over Joshua has propelled him into the spotlight, opening the door to even bigger fights after the showdown at Wembley.
