Anthony Joshua faced Oleksandr Usyk in a quick rematch in August 2022, 11 months after losing the unified heavyweight title. Despite putting in a more spirited performance, Joshua’s efforts fell short once again.
Usyk’s superiority in speed, skill, intelligence, and endurance was evident as he claimed another clear victory, even though this time it was officially recorded as a split decision. With three losses in his last five fights, the former two-time champion found himself at a career low.
Less than two years later, Anthony Joshua experienced a remarkable turnaround in his career, winning four consecutive matches in the span of 11 months. This feat is striking in a time when elite heavyweight boxers typically have fewer fights annually. His winning streak began with a solid 12-round unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin last April. In August, Joshua was slated for a rematch with Dillian Whyte but instead faced Robert Helenius, whom he knocked out in the seventh round. In December, Joshua dominated Otto Wallin in a Boxing Day showdown, prompting Wallin’s corner to stop the fight after the fifth round. Most recently, last weekend, Joshua swiftly defeated Francis Ngannou by knocking him down thrice, culminating in a decisive second-round knockout.
Looking ahead, there is anticipation for the matchup between WBC and lineal world heavyweight champion and unified IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion, Usyk. This rivalry is expected to unfold over two bouts, with the victor potentially becoming the most undisputed since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago. Joshua’s recent victories over Wallin and Ngannou position him as a formidable challenger for Tyson Fury if Fury emerges victorious against Usyk. A potential clash between Joshua and Fury is anticipated to be one of the biggest fights in boxing history.
For an overview of Joshua’s recent four-fight winning streak, which includes a dramatic knockout of Francis Ngannou, you can watch the video by Ramy’s Corner. This presentation is a personal opinion shared by Ramy’s Corner, produced and narrated by Jeffrey Ciani.
