Anthony Joshua is entering the final stages of a glittering career which could one day take him into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The British superstar has been heavyweight champion of the world twice, and will celebrate his 36th birthday in October. He is expected to return to action later this year after recovering from elbow surgery he underwent in May.
While AJ is keen to get back into action and banish the memory of that devastating Wembley loss to Daniel Dubois in his last fight in September 2024, it is clear there will not be many more opportunities to see him in a professional ring.
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Joshua has fought under the Matchroom Boxing promotional banner ever since he turned pro after winning Olympic gold at London 2012, and Barry Hearn spoke this week about what the future holds for the company’s stable star. Including how many fights he likely has left.
The future for Anthony Joshua
He told talkSPORT: “The future for Anthony Joshua is whatever Anthony Joshua wants. He’s earned the right to decide exactly what he’s gonna do with his career. You know, he’s not gonna last forever, he’s been a huge credit and he’s actually reinvented boxing almost on his own, I’ve gotta tell you.
“We’ve had 12 years with him and it’s been – and I, I, I use this phrase sparingly, because I’ve been in the game a long time – it’s been an honour. It’s been an absolute honour to represent AJ. And I think have two or three more fights, and then go off into the sunset.
Hearn Sr also spoke about Matchroom initially winning the race to sign AJ when he was a highly prized target coming out of those London Games. He gave all the credit to son Eddie for the strategy which led to that major coup.
How Matchroom signed AJ
“Eddie did the work. I, I would’ve rushed in and tried to get him straight away, but Eddie was really smart,” Barry revealed.
“He said no, he said to AJ, ‘Go and see everybody. When you’ve seen every top promoter in the world, come back and tell me what you think’.
“And about nine months later – and I was petrified we were gonna lose him, because I knew he was gonna be big – nine months later he came and said, ‘I’ve made my mind up. I’m coming with you guys’. And he hasn’t changed since.
“He has not been one moment of problem in 12 years. And anyone involved in professional sport knows that’s a very unique relationship. So, we’re looking forward to him finishing. You know, he’s a lovely man, and he’s gonna be an ambassador for Matchroom for the rest of his life. We’re a family business, and AJ is part of our family.”
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