Anthony Joshua’s career has been one of the most fascinating and tumultuous journeys in recent heavyweight boxing history. Once a unified champion, regarded as one of the most promising fighters in the division, Joshua’s recent performances have left fans and analysts alike wondering: What happened to Anthony Joshua?

A Glorious Rise

Let’s take a step back. Joshua’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division was rapid and impressive. From his Olympic gold medal in 2012 to capturing the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles in his early 20s, it seemed like AJ was on an unstoppable path. His impressive knockout power, athleticism, and discipline made him a formidable force in the ring, and he became a global boxing star.

However, the cracks began to show after his first loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019. Despite winning the rematch later that year, that defeat changed the narrative around Joshua. Questions about his ability to handle pressure and his technical weaknesses started to surface. Many pointed out that while Joshua had the physical tools to dominate, he lacked the mental toughness and in-ring adaptability of other top heavyweights like Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder.

The Usyk Roadblock

Fast forward to 2021, and Joshua faced Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated fight. Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, was a major underdog going into the bout. But, to the surprise of many, Usyk outboxed Joshua over 12 rounds to claim the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. Usyk’s skill, footwork, and intelligence exposed the gaps in Joshua’s game, leaving him with more questions than answers. Joshua’s inability to adapt to Usyk’s style was a key factor in his loss. He lacked the aggression and ring IQ needed to deal with a fighter of Usyk’s caliber.

Joshua went into the rematch in 2022 with a new approach, but despite trying to box smarter, Usyk proved to be just too good, winning the fight once again and solidifying his place at the top of the heavyweight division. At this point, it was clear that something had gone wrong with Joshua’s career trajectory.

Recent Struggles: A Make-or-Break Fight

Following his losses to Usyk, Joshua’s career entered a strange phase. He took on “stay-busy” fights — opponents that wouldn’t pose much of a threat to him but were enough to keep him active. Some of these wins, like his knockout of Robert Helenius, seemed more like confidence boosters than anything else. It felt like AJ was treading water, trying to regain his old form but never quite getting back to the level that saw him dominate early in his career.

Then came the pivotal fight against Dillian Whyte. This was seen as a make-or-break moment for Joshua. At 34 years old, he was getting older, and his losses to Usyk had raised doubts about his ability to compete with the best. The stakes were high: a win could put him back in the title picture, while a loss would deepen the uncertainty surrounding his future.

But as we saw, the night of the fight, Joshua was outboxed and outmatched. Whyte’s aggressive, relentless approach exposed flaws in Joshua’s defense, and he was knocked down multiple times. Joshua just didn’t seem to have the tools needed to overcome Whyte’s pressure. He looked slower, more hesitant, and, at times, overwhelmed in the ring.

The Mental Aspect

Perhaps the most concerning part of Joshua’s decline is his mental state. Early in his career, he seemed like a focused and determined fighter. However, the losses to Ruiz, Usyk, and now Whyte, have revealed that there may be more going on mentally than just physical skills. Joshua has often seemed uncertain of his strategy during big fights, and his body language in the ring has suggested a fighter who isn’t always confident in his abilities. Whether it’s the pressure of his celebrity status, the weight of expectations, or just a lack of belief in his game plan, Joshua seems to have lost some of that hunger and edge that made him a champion in the first place.

What’s Next for Anthony Joshua?

The future of Anthony Joshua is uncertain. There have been whispers about retirement, and many fans are starting to question whether he will ever return to the heights he once reached. At 34, and with two back-to-back defeats to Usyk and a loss to Whyte, it’s difficult to imagine Joshua being able to challenge for world titles again in the same way.

A rematch clause with Whyte could provide Joshua with a chance to redeem himself, but it would be a risky move. If he loses again, it could mark the end of his career as a top-level fighter. Alternatively, he could look to rebuild by taking on lower-profile opponents, but with the heavyweight division moving forward, it’s hard to say if he’ll get the same opportunities as before.

One possibility is Joshua shifting his focus to entertaining matchups rather than title fights. There’s still a massive market for big-money matchups, even if they’re not for world titles. Fights against names like Deontay Wilder or a rematch with Ruiz could generate interest, though whether Joshua could succeed in those bouts is up for debate.

Conclusion

So, what happened to Anthony Joshua? The answer is a combination of factors: changing strategies, mental struggles, and facing a new breed of heavyweights who aren’t intimidated by his power. He’s gone from being the face of boxing to a fighter trying to regain his place. It’s a reminder of how quickly the sport can turn, and how crucial it is for a fighter to stay on top of both their physical and mental game.

The path forward for Joshua isn’t clear, but if he chooses to continue, he’ll need to rebuild his confidence, rethink his approach, and possibly reinvent himself. Whether he can do that is anyone’s guess. But for now, the days of Anthony Joshua dominating the heavyweight division seem like a distant memory.