By: Sean Crose
Does former WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua have what it takes to once again sit at the top of heavyweight? That’s the question on the minds of fans and analysts alike as the tall British tennis player prepares for a rematch on August 12 against old foe Dillian Whyte. While Joshua won his final bout, a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin in April, the man hasn’t looked dominant since he stopped Kubrat Pulev late in the game. 2020. He lost the title to Oleksandr Usyk the following September, followed by another loss to Usyk less than a year later. Then there was a strange, rambling talk on the mic after that fight was over.
Clearly it’s been a while since Joshua was the “man” in the heavyweight category. Not long ago, fighters like Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury seemed forced to wait their turn before fighting the famous Joshua. Even after being shocked by Andy Ruiz on his US debut, Joshua smartly decided to win the rematch, then showed the world that he’s more than just a powerful puncher. . He was ultimately set to fight Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world when news broke that Fury was legally bound to face Deontay Wilder for the third time.
And finally. As they say, is history.
The first was the loss to the former king of the cruiser class Usyk, then the loss in the rematch, accompanied by rambling on the mic. Things looked bad for Joshua at the time because, frankly, it was. Now, however, the man is looking to change things up. Whyte really is the perfect opponent for Joshua to fight next. He’s beaten the man before, but there’s no guarantee Joshua can beat Whyte twice in a row. At this point, Whyte is just what Joshua needs, a tough, talented opponent who’s a little past his best days. If Joshua impresses, he should return to the upper division of the heavyweight division. However, if he loses to Whyte…
‘What’s beautiful about sports,’ Daily mail As Joshua said, “there is always the next opportunity to prove myself, so no matter what happens, I always follow a process and I just know that if we look at history, everything will be fine. okay with me.” At the very least, Joshua seems to have the right view as he heads towards a Whyte rematch, an essential ingredient to success, though admittedly one of many.
