Eddie Hearn reflects on Anthony Joshua contemplating retirement
Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn anticipates that Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) will only consider retirement once he faces the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua revealed on the Jonathan Ross show that he plans to retire from boxing in two years, hoping to secure an undisputed title fight before he turns 37.
His promoter, Hearn, envisions that the two-time world heavyweight champion will exit the sport on his terms.
Speaking with The Stomping Ground, Hearn said: “I think he’s in the form of his life and enjoying his boxing more than ever. While you’re doing that, why not stay as long as you can?
“I think two years is about right. Hopefully he gets the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, then what else is there to do?”
Joshua comes off an emphatic second-round knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month.
With his sights set firmly on a shot at becoming the undisputed champion, the 34-year-old will be keeping a keen eye on the highly-anticipated showdown between Fury and Usyk.
The pair’s initial date – set for February 17 – was scuppered following a cut that Fury sustained above his right eye in sparring.
Now, both Fury and Usyk will put all of their jewellery on the line for their rescheduled encounter in Riyadh on May 18.
Since appointing Ben Davison as his head coach, Joshua has shown ample signs of improvement and believes that a third fight with Usyk will pan out differently to the other two.
His team has expressed an interest in a matchup with the Ukrainian, but the prospect of facing Fury – which the British public will be hoping for – is something that has not been mentioned to the same extent.
