Carl Froch (33-2, 24 KOs) likes to speak on various topics from the boxing world. Now the former super middleweight champion has commented on the current situation of Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs).
AJ was step by step preparing for rematch with Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), but due to the war in his native country, the Ukrainian cannot yet properly prepare for fights. An “intermediate” fight of the Briton became possible, and, for example, Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs), Otto Wallin (23-1, 14 KOs), Luis Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) and Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) were mentioned as candidates. According to Cobra, Joshua should forget about the former world champion, especially if you look at his career through the prism of business.
“A fight with Deontay Wilder would be great, exciting. Wilder hits damn hard. It will be a dangerous duel that Anthony should not agree to. That said, I'm not saying he can't win," Froch said.
“From a business standpoint, he doesn’t need to fight Wilder as there is a high chance that he will lose by knockout. He is a powerful puncher, and he has great chances of a knockout. If he hits the jaw, it's all over. He doesn't care if your name is Anthony Joshua or whatever. He can knock you out with one punch. Tyson Fury almost found out about it several times."
As for the other three, Froch leans towards Joyce, claiming that he has seen hundreds of sparring sessions between the two Britons. He was least impressed by Wallin of Sweden.
“Joyce would be a great fight. I saw Joshua write that he would have knocked him out in one round. Well, this is already too much. No one can knock out Joyce in one round. I am of the opinion that even with a brick in the glove, it will be very difficult to stop him. Joyce is a solid opponent, it will be difficult for anyone to deal with him. And this is a duel that we must insist on."
“I'm not sure about Wallin. Ortiz is good, but his best years are over, he is too old. He's a great boxer and could give AJ problems, but Joyce is better. It is also a dangerous battle that can be lost. I saw hundreds of sparring rounds between both at the training camp of the English team, and I know what really happened there. I won't reveal the details because it won't be a 1-round fight."
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“We know their promoters don't get along well. Joshua is well aware of Joyce's strengths but doesn't talk about it. I would do it myself. It will benefit both him and the fans,” concluded Froch, 44, who won spectacular fights against such opponents as Mikkel Kessler, Glen Johnson, George Groves and Lucian Bute.