Promoter Eddie Hearn isn’t mincing words about Anthony Joshua’s right to contest for a heavyweight world title - regardless of his recent fifth-round KO loss to Daniel Dubois. Hearn stresses that Joshua's star power grants him freedom to choose his next foe without needing to rebuild. “If you’re the biggest commercial draw in the division,” Hearn says, “you can fight whoever you want, anytime you want.”
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Many people, however, argue that Joshua’s recent slide undermines his standing. They also point out that his two title reigns hinged on victories over unimposing opposition, like a sluggish Andy Ruiz Jr. and a relatively untested Charles Martin. Still, Hearn says none of that prevents a top-tier payday or a quick jump into another championship shot.
It’s uncertain whether Joshua, 35, will challenge current champions again anytime soon, especially given his two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and the fact that Dubois recently demolished him. But for Hearn, there’s no doubt AJ remains a marketable name. That, he insists, is enough to justify any fight Joshua wants, even if the usual rules don’t seem to apply.
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