Joshua not included in latest heavyweight rankings.
For a long time, Anthony Joshua was one of the very best heavyweights in the world. A former unified world titlist, in his prime, he appeared the most destructive British force in the land of big men since the era of Lennox Lewis.
However, his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 appeared to be the start of a descent in his career. Though he won the rematch, it was considered a very low-excitement affair. Then after a win over Kubrat Pulev, he lost twice in a row to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua’s rebuild began with a decision win over Jermaine Franklin, then progressed to a dominant stoppage of Otto Wallin and destructive knockout of Francis Ngannou.
It looked like he may have been truly back to his best. That was, until he faced Daniel Dubois. And after multiple knockdowns, Joshua was battered into a brutal defeat.
He would be out for over a year before he engaged in an odd showcase with Jake Paul, a bout the Briton predictably won, but didn’t majorly impress in.
He then returned against Kristian Prenga the other week, having returned from a harrowing personal event that involved the loss of his two close friends. A very big favourite, Joshua was expected by many to ease through Prenga.
Only, he would have to overcome an incredibly hairy first round, rising from two knockdowns to win by KO in the second. It was an exciting fight, but not a flattering performance.
Likely due to the nature of the win, both The Ring and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board have left “AJ” out of their latest heavyweight rankings, a huge omission to be sure.
Now expected to go ahead with a match against Tyson Fury in November, Joshua will be hoping to find his way back amongst the world’s best.
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