Former cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson believes Anthony Joshua should call it a day.
Joshua has been out of the ring since suffering a devastating fifth round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September at Wembley Stadium.
The 35-year-old was in talks to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul before he opted to face Gervonta Davis in an exhibition on November 14, while a long-awaited, all-British battle with Tyson Fury appears increasingly unlikely after ‘The Gypsy King’ retired in January.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is plotting his next move, but Nelson insists the former two-time heavyweight world champion should retire instead of risking another potential defeat.
“Coming from a place of love,” the 58-year-old told talkSPORT.
“I think Anthony Joshua’s got nothing else to prove in this game and he should walk away rather than hang about and wait for someone to turn him over.
“It’s either him and Tyson Fury which we’re all sick of.
“Is it happening or isn’t it happening?
“Or just walk out of it.
“He’s a very comfortable, wealthy man.
“I wouldn’t want to see Anthony Joshua leave his career like that and that could possibly happen.
“Whoever they put him in with, that could happen.
“Walk away from it. He’s alright, he’s good and he’s got a business empire that’ll work healthily for him.”
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‘AJ’ was sidelined with an elbow injury and was expected to return in the early part of 2026.
However, according to Hearn, who has promoted his entire career, the Watford man could be back in the ring before the end of the year.
“You may see him sooner rather than later,” the 46-year-old told IFLTV.
“There could be a possibility [we see him fight in 2025].
“I’m not saying that’s for sure, but a lot depends on who he fights.
“I believe the more active AJ is going into a big fight at the middle end of next year, the better position he will be in.”
