Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been given a 28-day boxing ban following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at London’s Wembley Stadium last Saturday.
The ban was issued by the British Boxing Board of Control, which is a typical process for fighters who lose by TKO or KO, according to the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports.
“AJ has been banned for just under a month by the British Boxing Board of Control. According to the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, it is not unusual for a fighter to receive a medical suspension after suffering a TKO or KO loss,” Mirror UK said in a post on Sunday.
The 34-year-old had a tough night in the ring, dropping to the canvas three times until Dubois, also known as ‘DDD’, delivered the fatal blow with a devastating right hand in Round 5.
This is Joshua’s fourth career defeat, following his startling 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. and two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
While the suspension is unlikely to affect Joshua’s immediate intentions because no future fights have been arranged, it has raised speculation regarding his boxing future.
Former boxer Carl Froch has expressed reservations about Joshua’s performance and future in the sport.
“Anthony Joshua got absolutely battered from pillar to post. He lacked ambition; he lacked self-belief and confidence. His powers of recovery are terrible; he looked exhausted,” Froch stated on his YouTube channel.
Froch went on to question Joshua’s desire to continue boxing.
He said, “I question Anthony Joshua’s desire to be in that boxing ring anymore. I don’t think AJ wants it anymore; he shouldn’t be boxing. That performance was weak.”
Meanwhile, Joshua stated that he is committed in his determination to reclaim the world title and that he has no plans to retire soon.
In a video statement released on his X page, Joshua thanked his supporters, stating, “We came up short, but look, we have to focus on all the positives.” That is the mindset and perspective we must adopt—a positive one.
“Look at what we’ve achieved in the space of 11 years; it’s phenomenal, and I want to thank every single one of you who has been riding with me. What a rollercoaster journey, but you know what? The problem is that it’s far from over yet.”
