Roy Jones Jr. Reveals to Anthony Joshua the Only Way to Beat Deontay Wilder

The Cat from Ukraine was lurking in the shadows to pounce. Caught off-guard, Anthony Joshua needed answers to Oleksandr Usyk’s agility. Two consecutive losses against the Ukrainian have put a big dampener on the Britisher’s future. Amidst attempts at resurrecting his career by next year, names of prospective opponents crop up. Among them, Deontay Wilder stands out. The Bronze Bomber, with a devastating 97% knock-out-to-win rate, differs from someone AJ would like to play around with. If he wants to stage a successful comeback, heeding wise words from a person who had been at the top of the boxing world might come in handy.

Till 2018, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, more commonly Anthony Joshua, had a fairy tale run. Come 1st June 2019, Andy Ruiz Jr. stopped Joshua in the seventh round of their match at Madison Square Garden. AJ returned the favor to the American by the end of that year. He followed it with a win over Kubrat Pulev in December 2020. However, the sojourn with misfortune stayed with the 2012 Olympic gold medalist.

Roy Jones Jr. to recharge AJ’s lumbering career

Anthony Joshua had disbanded his corner after the Jeddah loss to Usyk on 20th August this year. Before that, in September 2021, AJ had bid goodbye to long-time coach Rob McCracken. As he filters names for the new coaching staff, talks of Roy Jones Jr. willing to take up the job have crept in. One of the sport’s all-time greats and a four-time world champion.

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Jones Jr., currently training Chris Eubank Jr., confirmed discussions on the matter. However, even before his role’s finalization, the legendary champion very clearly voiced out his views on the road ahead for AJ. Speaking to iD Boxing, he said Joshua should approach someone other than a boxer of Wilder’s caliber on the first go.

The step will make him familiarize with his strengths and weaknesses. Then, as he starts working along with the new trainer on the key areas that need focus, Joshua could expect to regain a certain level of confidence. Speaking highly of Deontay Wilder, he said, “…Against Wilder, you’ve got to be mistake-proof, you make a mistake with Wilder, and it could be over.”

Who could be next for Anthony Joshua?

Per Jones Jr.’s understanding, if AJ and Wilder are to face each other, it will most likely happen either by the end of 2023 or perhaps 2024.

Otherwise, Otto Wallin remains a better fit than Wilder at this point. And it appears that Joshua’s team is negotiating a deal with the Swedish side. Then the possibility of a rematch with Dillian Whyte is also in the offing. The Body Snatcher, whom AJ had defeated way back in 2015.

Watch Out for More: Opponents who might be pitted against The Bronze Bomber

For the thirty-three-year-old Anthony Joshua, time is running short. So he will have to tread carefully, from the choice of the new coaching staff to the opponents. Any misstep could invite sweeping repercussions blotting an otherwise outstanding career.