Matthew Macklin believes Anthony Joshua should consider retiring following his unexpected fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Joshua aimed to reclaim the IBF world heavyweight title and become a three-time world champion but faced a significant setback, marking the fourth defeat in his career.
In a striking performance at Wembley Stadium, the 34-year-old was knocked down four times, including once in the first round. Many analysts, including Macklin, are calling for Joshua to step away from the sport following this fight.
Macklin expressed his concerns about Joshua’s future in the ring, stating, “He’s 34 years of age and has achieved more than he ever dreamed of, with financial security for his family. There’s not much left to prove.” He emphasized the inherent risks in boxing, stating, “Boxing is brutal, it’s dangerous, and people get knocked out.”
Reflecting on the fight, Macklin noted, “I don’t think AJ recovered from the first knockdown. He appeared severely shaken, and although he buzzed Dubois at the end, he got caught by a short right hand while going for an uppercut.”
Macklin continued to highlight the complexity of retirement decisions in boxing compared to other sports: “In football, that decision gets made for you. In boxing, you might end up fighting lower-tier opponents, getting knocked out by those you wouldn’t have faced before. It’s a brutal situation.”
Despite the defeat, Joshua remains optimistic, stating his boxing journey isn’t over yet. Macklin suggested, “If he were my brother, I’d advise him to step back from boxing for now and then consider announcing his retirement to celebrate his remarkable career.”
Looking ahead, Joshua is eyeing a rematch with Dubois and possibly a clash with Tyson Fury in the future. Macklin, while acknowledging the possibility of a victory in a rematch, cautioned that Dubois would enter with heightened confidence, indicating it could represent a shift in the heavyweight landscape.
“This was Dubois’ defining moment, akin to [Wladimir] Klitschko’s in the past,” Macklin concluded, underlining how this match could signify a changing of the guard in heavyweight boxing.
