Following Anthony Joshua’s recent loss to Daniel Dubois, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has advised the British boxer to take a break before considering his return to the ring. In September, Joshua suffered a decisive defeat to Dubois at Wembley Stadium, where he was knocked down multiple times before a powerful right hand in Round 5 ended the fight in front of 98,000 fans. This marked the 35-year-old Joshua’s fourth career loss and has left many questioning his future in boxing.
Despite the setback, Joshua expressed his intent to continue his career, with plans for a rematch initially slated for February 2024. However, Dubois’s promoter, Frank Warren, has since confirmed that Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight title on February 22 against a yet-to-be-announced opponent, effectively ruling out an immediate rematch.
Meanwhile, Lewis, known as “The Lion” in his boxing days, believes that a period of rest could benefit Joshua. In an interview with Box Nation, he stated, “I don’t think he should take the rematch. I think he should take a rest for a minute and then come back.” Reflecting on Joshua’s peak performance against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, Lewis remarked, “The best of Anthony Joshua was definitely the Klitschko fight. He showed great heart and boxed well coming off the floor.”
Praise for Dubois’s Rise in the Division
Turning his attention to Dubois, Lewis expressed admiration for the 27-year-old’s performance, particularly his powerful and precise right hand. Dubois entered the September fight as the underdog but delivered a commanding performance. “Very impressed with Dubois,” Lewis said. “He’s grown as a fighter, showing that he’s ready for this level.” Dubois’s confidence was evident even before the match, as he didn’t shy away from challenging Joshua and demonstrated resilience in the ring.
Joshua’s Future and Potential Opponents
As Dubois prepares to defend his title, Joshua’s next steps appear less certain. While there has been talk of a potential showdown with Tyson Fury, Joshua’s schedule may depend on the results of Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. It’s likely that Joshua could sit out until summer, giving him time to recover and strategize his return.
For now, Lewis’s advice for Joshua is to step back, recharge, and perhaps seek new motivation before re-entering the ring to reclaim his status in the heavyweight division.