It’s fair to say that two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua had a mixed 2024 inside the famous squared-circle.

After ending 2023 with a devastating performance over Otto Wallin in Riyadh, the 35-year-old was hoping to start 2024 with a bang in a bid to become a world champion for a third time. And he did just after knocking out former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the second round.

The win earned himself another crack at gold against IBF champion and fellow Brit, Daniel Dubois. An all-British showdown for the title was inevitably going to take place at Wembley Stadium, London. In front of a sold out 96,000 venue, fans were eager to witness history being made once again. In what was arguably one of Joshua’s most important fights to date, ‘AJ’ fell short in his quest to become a world champion.

Joshua was knocked down four times in total before suffering a fifth round knockout defeat. Following the crushing loss, many icons within the sport have called for the Brit to hang up his gloves once and for all. That said, the confident heavyweight legend insists he can become a champion for a third time in his professional career.

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With many fans believing that Joshua is at a crossroads in his career, it seems as if it’s not all doom and gloom for the Brit. Boxing purists are now calling for Joshua to take on long-time rival Tyson Fury inside the ring. Turki Alalshikh recently suggested he would be open to help make the fight. And, it would appear Eddie Hearn is also eager to make that fight happen. “I don’t think it’s time to start screaming, this night is Usyk vs Fury, but the reality is there’s only one fight for Tyson Fury and that’s Anthony Joshua,” Hearn told DAZN. “It’s the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing, everyone will always want to see it. And by the way, that wasn’t a Tyson Fury that looked finished, it wasn’t a flat performance, it wasn’t a poor performance, he didn’t look gun-shy, he didn’t look like his punch resistance was in question like we talked about earlier.

“I think Tyson Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers, just not good enough to be Oleksandr Usyk tonight. But for me, AJ against Fury is the one, it’s the one at Wembley, I’m going to be pushing His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] to make the fight, but that’s maybe one for another day, tonight belongs to Oleksandr Usyk. But Fury will struggle with this, I think. All fighters do, AJ struggled with the Dubois defeat as well, you’re a winner and when you get beat it hurts and this will hurt Fury.”

With Alalshikh’s influence in boxing and Hearn’s eagerness to book the fight, it would seem as if a clash between Fury and Joshua could finally take place. It would all depend on the ‘Gypsy King,’ though – following his recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. Hypothetically, a clash between the pair will likely take place just before the summer period – with May or June being reported as the most realistic option.

Following the two defeats to Usyk, how much does Fury have left in the tank? Is his heart still in the sport? Those are the questions Joshua might be asking in his head. If the pair do go toe-to-toe, it’s likely that there’ll be a rematch clause inserted. The first clash will no doubt take place at Wembley. And, over the years, how many times have we seen ‘AJ’ deliver on the big stage at Wembley? Should he knock Fury out, it’ll arguably be the most impressive win of his career.