Anthony Joshua returns to his amateur boxing club with a message
The former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, posted a picture of himself back at his old amateur gym, Finchley Boxing Club in Barnet, with a simple statement, "Back to where it started, far from where it ends, I love this game."
After suffering his third professional defeat at the hands of heavyweight rival Oleksandr Usyk this month, Joshua's future in boxing was uncertain, but fans will be relieved to learn that he will continue to fight on.
However, the flagbearer for British boxing will be forced to compete in a non-world championship bout in his next fight for the first time since 2016.
So far, the front runners for AJ's next fight are Dillian Whyte and Otto Wallin. However, Daniel Dubois, as the only other world champion outside of WBC titlist Tyson Fury and unified leader Usyk, is reportedly defending his WBA 'Regular' title to Whyte in his next fight. Dean Whyte first reported negotiations had begun a few weeks ago and now dates are circulating for the fight to be fixed in November at the O2 Arena in London.
This news could see Swedish brawler Otto Wallin emerge as the frontrunner for AJ's next opponent, which would be a very interesting fight for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the 31-year-old Swede gave Tyson Fury a hell of a scare in their 2019 bloody encounter, which saw Fury cut from a punch in the third round, later requiring 47 stitches. The bout was a bloodbath, as undefeated Fury was forced to fight for 12 gruelling rounds with a deep laceration that very nearly caused the contest to be cancelled early.
Secondly, Wallin and Joshua have history, so much so that this fight would complete their trilogy. Joshua defeated Wallin twice in the amateurs, so the southpaw is desperate to avenge those losses by getting a third shot at him. Also, the pair have shared many rounds more as sparring partners, so their knowledge of each other would make for a very close contest.
Lastly, the Swede is well-known to British viewers because of that brutal battle in Vegas three years ago, so if Joshua could do a far better job on Wallin than Fury managed then it could resurrect the super-fight between the two Brits, which fight fans have been calling for for so long. Wallin has reeled off four straight victories since his sole career defeat to Tyson, so his recent form and impressive 24-1 record would make for a 50-50 fight with Joshua, who will be coming in off back to back beatings.
