British boxing icon Carl Froch has credited Anthony Joshua with bringing boxing back to the forefront and filling stadiums, acknowledging the former heavyweight champion’s role in captivating mainstream audiences, even as he insists Joshua’s best days are behind him.
Despite his criticism of Joshua’s future prospects, Froch was unequivocal about the British-Nigerian boxer’s impact on the sport’s popularity, particularly his ability to transform boxing into must-see entertainment for casual fans.
“For me, AJ’s legacy is bringing boxing to the forefront, filling stadiums back-to-back—filling stadiums, what, four or five times?” Froch remarked on his YouTube channel.
“Fair play to him, he’s been involved in big fights, and the general public got behind him. People want to come and watch him fight not because they enjoy boxing, but because they want to be involved in a big event and a massive occasion.”
The clash between Joshua and Jake Paul is scheduled for December 19 in Miami, Florida, featuring eight three-minute rounds with both competitors using 10oz gloves.
Paul last competed in a decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., whilst Joshua’s most recent outing saw him suffer a crushing knockout defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The former super-middleweight champion, who himself drew 80,000 fans to Wembley Stadium in 2014, credited Joshua with building on that foundation.
“Me and George Groves doing Wembley Stadium was a post-war attendance record, and then he took it on from that,” Froch said.
Although he praised Joshua’s role in popularising boxing, Froch remained unconvinced that the 36-year-old has secured his place in boxing’s Hall of Fame ahead of retirement.
“I’m not showing off, but you’ve got to have back-to-back world-title defences and you have to be successful against elite-level fighters to be in the Hall of Fame,” Froch explained.
“He’s not had a Hall of Fame career.”
The two-time heavyweight champion plans to use the Paul bout as a tune-up before returning to Saudi Arabia in February.
Should Joshua come through both encounters unharmed, he has his sights set on a summer battle with Tyson Fury.
Toppling the ‘Gypsy King’ would represent one of Joshua’s greatest achievements.
Joshua is set to split an incredible prize pot of close to £100m with Paul for the bout and is unable to come in over 245lb.
