Anthony Joshua given new retirement date as heavyweight's 'legacy' ambitions become clear

06/06/2024 14:54

Anthony Joshua could have just two years left in his heavyweight career.

The Briton has reigned as a two-time heavyweight champion, and is now chasing a new world title shot, with AJ in talks to face Daniel Dubois for the vacant IBF title in September.

Joshua is now 34-years-old but appears to still be at the peak of his powers, particularly since linking up with new trainer Ben Davison.

His long-term promoter Eddie Hearn believes Joshua could hang up his gloves at the back end of 2026, or even before depending on results.

"I think maybe the end of 2026,” Hearn told PA.

“If he wins in September and beats Fury or Usyk to become undisputed then what else do you do?

“It could even be next year, who knows? He'll want to continue while he's performing and right now he's the best ever.

“He wants legacy, greatness. If you asked him, he'd also want to have good performances.”

Joshua had himself previously suggested he would want to hang up his gloves at the age of 35, but is open to more fights providing his body remains in good condition.

There could be some huge events remaining on the table, with a shot at Dubois likely to come next.

Providing he wins, Joshua could well be the IBF champion and find himself in an interesting spot if the belt is stripped from Oleksandr Usyk.

The former Olympic gold medalist will then likely pursue long-term domestic rival Fury, with the pair having been touted to meet for several years.

Any deal would likely see the pair fight twice in 2025, and Joshua could then look simply to other legacy contests if he was to beat his rival.

Trilogies with both Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr will likely always be on the table for the successful superstar.

And the power puncher’s coach Davison has admitted he’d love to steer the champion into a third crack at Usyk.

He said: "Being selfish, I'd really like to put that Usyk fight right for him.

“I don't know if that's even doable. But that's something that I would love to help him do.

“That's something I said to him first when came down to the gym, that I'm really confident that we'd be able to help him put that right."