Nigel Benn admits he’d love to help Anthony Joshua on his road to recovery after defeat to Daniel Dubois.
Joshua was dropped four times on route to a devastating fifth round stoppage defeat to IBF heavyweight champion, Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September.
‘AJ’ was ruled out of an immediate rematch with the 27-year-old, needing more time to recover from injuries sustained in the bout.
Former two-weight world champion, Benn believes the Watford man is capable of bouncing back from his fourth professional defeat and says he’d be willing to give him some advice.
“I still believe that Anthony can come back from that,” Benn said on Up Front.
“But he needs some mongrel put in him.
“I know he’s got it in him.
“I’d love to be in the gym with him.
“Not saying he’s lacking encouragement, but you have to get that mongrel inside you that I know is in you and I still think that he can turn it around.”
The 35-year-old’s promoter, Eddie Hearn has not ruled out a second outing with Dubois, but admits his charge will wait to see the outcome of the December 21 rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury before deciding his next move.
‘AJ’ has already lost twice to Usyk, but a long-awaited, all-British showdown with Fury has yet to materialise.
Despite the lure of a possible meeting with ‘The Gypsy King’, should he gain revenge over Usyk, Benn insists Joshua should look to avenge his loss to Dubois before moving onto another opponent.
“I’m not knocking the training or anything, but you’ve got to bring that hunger,” the 60-year-old added.
“But I don’t think he should go anywhere else, but fighting Dubois.”
Dubois is set to defend his title on February 22, but remains without an opponent, although he has been heavily linked with both Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
The Londoner offered Jake Paul a shock opportunity to face him after his victory over Mike Tyson last Friday in Texas, with Paul publishing a DM from the heavyweight champion.
View this post on Instagram
“Hi Jake good business on the weekend,” Dubois said to Paul.
“But how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world.
“This is Daniel Dubois calling you out.
“Let’s get it on.”
