Carl Froch, the former world super-middleweight champion, has sent a tough message to Anthony Joshua. He claims the two-time unified heavyweight champion needs a 'miracle' to get back to the top of boxing.
Joshua, now 35 and from Watford, finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Last September, he suffered his fourth defeat when Daniel Dubois knocked him out. That loss has left many questioning Joshua's future in the sport.
Froch didn't hold back when talking about Joshua's chances. He said on Sporting Talk:
"He needs a miracle if he needs AJ to come back because AJ can't fight anybody … Forget Deontay Wilder, that's not a fight I want to see, it's going to be Tyson Fury if he decides to come out of retirement, that's the only fight that makes any sense for AJ, if he fights Dubois he's gonna get bombed out again, he'll get splattered."
Froch thinks a fight with Deontay Wilder isn't a good idea for Joshua. He believes the only match that makes sense is against Tyson Fury, if Fury comes out of retirement. Even then, Froch predicts Fury will "run rings around Joshua."
The heavyweight division has changed a lot recently. Oleksandr Usyk has become the dominant fighter, having already beaten Joshua twice.
Joshua plans to get back in the ring before the end of the year. He's had to delay his return because of surgery for a training injury. We'll likely hear about his next opponent in the coming months, with Dillian Whyte and Jared 'Big Baby' Anderson mentioned as possibilities.
It's clear Joshua faces a tough road ahead. He'll need to prove Froch and other doubters wrong if he wants to regain his place at the top of heavyweight boxing.
