Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says Anthony Joshua is an overrated fighter, following the Brit’s shock fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley.
Joshua, who was dropped four times en route to the loss, missed out on the IBF belt and saw his hopes of securing an undisputed fight diminish significantly.
The defeat has raised questions about Joshua’s future in the sport, although the former two-time unified heavyweight champion has confirmed he will not be retiring.
Arum, known for his outspokenness, was particularly critical of Joshua’s performance, saying, “I’ve never been high on Joshua, but I never thought he was a great fighter, particularly after the Andy Ruiz fight.
“Again, it didn’t surprise me. I think Joshua is very, very vulnerable.”
The veteran promoter’s comments were largely based on Joshua’s 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden, where Joshua suffered his first professional defeat.
Despite Joshua’s subsequent rematch victory over Ruiz, Arum maintained that the initial loss exposed significant weaknesses in the British boxer’s arsenal.
Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davidson, has also come under fire, with former world champion Roy Jones Jr. suggesting that Joshua should part ways with him.
While a rematch with Dubois is a possibility, Arum believes it would be ill advised.
“I think the silliest thing for Joshua would be to fight Dubois again,” the promoter warned.
Despite the setback, Joshua still has options for big fights. Reports suggest that Saudi Arabian officials are interested in staging a Joshua vs. Tyson Fury bout, regardless of recent results.
A potential clash with Deontay Wilder also remains on the table, with Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott expressing interest in the matchup despite the American’s recent losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
As Joshua contemplates his next move, questions linger about his long-term future in the sport.
Given his reported $400m career earnings, the boxer’s financial security is assured, raising questions about the wisdom of risking further punishment in the ring.
