A debate has erupted in the world of professional boxing regarding the future of one of the sport's brightest modern heavyweights. Legendary British boxer and former three-division world champion Duke McKenzie has made a stern statement: Anthony Joshua must leave the ring.
The former champion voiced his opinion on the Seconds Out YouTube podcast, citing the Briton's recent performances. According to McKenzie, Joshua's shaky fight against Albanian Christian Prince sent a worrying signal, indicating that Joshua is seriously risking his health.
A Call from Loved Ones: Time to Stop
The 63-year-old sports veteran, whose career spanned the 80s and 90s, called on Joshua's entourage to take responsibility. McKenzie is convinced that if the people who care about the 36-year-old fighter's fate truly care for him, they must insist on his retirement.
"Someone needs to give Anthony Joshua some valuable advice. It could be his mother or promoter Eddie Hearn. They need to have an honest talk with him and say: 'I don't want anything bad to happen to you. So, please, finish with boxing'," emphasized McKenzie.
Why a Fight with Fury is a Bad Idea
The expert paid special attention to a potential bout between Joshua and Tyson Fury. McKenzie noted that in his last fight, Joshua looked shocked, whereas Fury, despite similar impressions, looked significantly better.
The legend stated directly that he does not want to see Joshua in the ring against Tyson: "The last thing I hope for is that this fight happens. I don't want to see AJ lose after this". The statistics speak for themselves: McKenzie has 46 fights (39 wins, 7 losses) to his name, and his last bout took place back in 1998 against Santiago Rojas Alcantara.
The Path to the Top and New Challenges
Anthony Joshua is a three-time world champion according to the WBA, WBO, and IBF. He won these titles by defeating Vladimir Klitschko in 2017. Although he lost the belts to Andy Ruiz two years later, he managed to reclaim them at the end of 2019. However, a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 stripped him of his champion status.
In recent years, the Briton has tried to regain his former form. After losing to Daniel Dubois in 2024, Joshua defeated Jake Paul and Christian Prince. He has 34 fights, 30 wins, and 4 losses to his credit. Nevertheless, the opinions of authorities like Duke McKenzie make one wonder if it is worth continuing the fight in the heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, new stars are emerging in the heavyweight division. Ukrainian Vladyslav Syrenko brutally knocked out Otto Wallin and is already making claims for titles, adding intrigue to the packed boxing calendar.
