Anthony Joshua should get another title shot against IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois by defeating one of the strong contenders, such as Martin Bakool or Tyson Fury, if he comes out of retirement.
No more free passes
Journeyman Dillian Whyte and former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder are two names mentioned as strong possibilities for Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) to fight next if “The Gypsy King” Fury cannot be lured out of retirement by Turki Al-Sheikh.
The idea would be to use either Joshua White, 36, or Wilder to rebuild his confidence and standing in the boxing world before facing Dubois in a rematch this year. However, these two fighters are no longer relevant in the division today and have not been for many years.
What Joshua needs to do is beat one of these heavyweights to get a title shot like normal fighters do:
-Martin Bacoli
– I came to Kabyle
– Chili Zhang
-Joseph Parker
– Moses Itauma
AJ has been discredited following his fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois last year on September 21 in London, and he needs to prove himself as a man worthy of a world title shot. That's the way it is with ordinary fighters, and it's not fair for Joshua to be given a chance to fight for a world title after beating Wilder or Whyte.
Merit on star power
“Where Anthony Joshua is now, put him with Dillian Whyte and Deontay Wilder in the next six. If he wins those two fights, give him a fight against (IBF heavyweight champion) Daniel Dubois if he wants a rematch or Tyson Fury,” Gareth A. Davies said. “. talkSport Boxing About Anthony Joshua.
“Tyson Fury would make sense if he were to box again, but definitely Daniel Dubois. He's the belt holder now, and he's going this way (up), while Joshua is coming this way (down the hill),” Adam Catterall said. “He (AJ) has to win to earn the right to fight.
“There has to be a meritocracy about this. His profile has to go out the window for a moment. Joshua has to win a tough fight in order to get back into the mix. Personally I would like to see Fury fight, and if it's not Fury, I would like to Push him towards Martin Bakul and why not? Bakul is one of the top contenders, isn't he?
The way boxing is going now, fighters who become pseudo-stars, like Joshua, don't have to hold a championship title. They are awarded without having to work for the position because it is work related.
If you're a heavyweight belt holder, you'll fight Joshua because it means a big payday, but it makes boxing feel more like a popularity contest than an actual sport. It couldn't be a real sport if famous fighters didn't have to earn title shots like regular fighters.
“Baculi is the favorite at the moment, he's a big favourite,” Gareth said of how Pacoli will be the favorite to beat 35-year-old Joshua.
AJ will be fodder for Pacioli now if this fight happens, but at least if he gets this fight, he will show that he believes in trying to get a title shot. Again, it would look bad if Joshua gets a rematch with Dubois after beating Wilder or the 39-year-old Whyte.
“Maybe it is, but we're talking about the best players against the best players. Let's go,” Catterall said.
