Former super-middleweight world champion Carl Froch has called on Anthony Joshua to retire from boxing following his brutal knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Froch, who retired at the perfect time after his sensational Wembley Stadium knockout of George Groves in front of 80,000 fans, believes Joshua should follow suit.
The 48-year-old Hall of Famer has been vocal about his belief that the two-time unified heavyweight champion should hang up his gloves since the devastating fifth-round loss to Dubois at Wembley Stadium last August.
“I think (AJ) should retire. I think he’s done what he needs to do. He’s made his [money],” Froch said in one of his latest YouTube videos.
Joshua’s defeat to Dubois came after multiple knockdowns and set the Finchley fighter’s plans to become a three-time belt holder in the heavyweight division massively off course.
The 35-year-old has not competed since that crushing defeat, although he has undergone minor surgery and is now back in training, preparing for a return in early 2026.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has made no secret of the fact that Joshua’s comeback fight will be a build-up to something bigger, with the long-awaited clash against Tyson Fury reportedly making progress.
Froch, who hung up his gloves after his second victory over Groves, capped off a career of 33 wins from 35 fights, losing only to Mikkel Kessler, which he later avenged, and Andre Ward.
Both defeats came over the distance, and, though knocked down on occasion, Froch is proud of the fact that he was never stopped.
When fighters do suffer knockout losses, particularly in emphatic fashion, the Nottingham native is often heard recommending retirement.
“Carl Froch hung up the gloves at the perfect time – a rare feat in the sport of boxing,” observers note of his decision to retire on a high.
Froch’s early stoppage controversy in the first Groves fight warranted a rematch, and ‘The Cobra’ left no doubt with his sensational knockout in the return bout.
However, Joshua appears determined to prove doubters wrong and is working towards a 2026 comeback, despite the former champion’s advice.
The debate over Joshua’s future continues to divide opinion in the boxing world, with some believing he still has more to offer at the highest level, while others, like Froch, feel his best days are behind him.
