Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
johnny nelson is afraid of anthony joshua Warning that the British star may have lost his “appetite” he may not be able to complete his comeback fight.
14 months after the former world heavyweight champion was stopped by Daniel Dubois, Joshua’s next step is still unclear. However, the 36-year-old’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has teased that Joshua could box on Matchroom undercard before year’s end,
Retired World Cruiserweight Champion Nelson told this alone sky sports: “You want to walk away from the game before it goes away from you. I think it’s just business for AJ now.”
“As a young fighter, you’re working hard to get in the ring to fight. It’s been a long time since AJ has been out of the ring and I have no hesitation in telling you that the hunger that needs to be there is still there.
“I gave the example of Nigel Benn and Steve Collins. Who would have ever thought that Nigel Benn would quit in the middle of a fight?” The 58-year-old Nelson continued by referencing Benn’s sixth-round retirement in his second loss to Collins in 1996.
“It means: When the fire in your belly goes out, you can fool yourself and deceive yourself, but when the fight is upon you… you think, ‘Nah, I don’t want this enough.’ I think AJ is in there.
“So, if he’s going to fight, he’s going to have to box on the undercard – a guy who believed he was the best fighter in the world. It’s a hard thing to accept and a hard thing for others to understand if you were never the best in the world.”
The 28-year-old Joshua’s loss to Dubois moved his professional record to 28-4, with two of his losses coming via stoppage. Prior to this, the Briton had suffered a TKO loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, while in 2021 and 2022 he was defeated by Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua has been linked with a dream fight against compatriot Tyson Fury, who announced his retirement in January but is bidding for a comeback boxingHowever, it is expected that Joshua – even if he boxes the 37-year-old Fury – will face another opponent first.
Enjoy 185+ fights per year on DAZN, the global home of boxing
Never miss a fight from top promoters. View on your device anytime, anywhere.
Advertisement. If you sign up for this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism at The Independent.
Enjoy 185+ fights per year on DAZN, the global home of boxing
Never miss a fight from top promoters. View on your device anytime, anywhere.
Advertisement. If you sign up for this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism at The Independent.
He said, there are some opportunities left this year. Notable remaining Matchroom events in 2026 Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 2 on November 15a Japanese showcase in Saudi Arabia in December, and a Ghana event in December – which have been seen as a test run for a potential AJ fight in Africa next year.