Former world champion Carl Froch has delivered a brutal assessment of Anthony Joshua's career, insisting the British heavyweight's best days are behind him regardless of the outcome against YouTube sensation Jake Paul.
The High-Stakes Miami Showdown
The two-time world champion will face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a professional heavyweight clash scheduled for December 19 in Miami. The bout is set for eight three-minute rounds with both fighters wearing 10oz gloves. This marks Paul's first fight since his decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, while Joshua hasn't entered the ring since his devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
Joshua reportedly views the Paul encounter as a warm-up before his planned return to Saudi Arabia in February next year. Should he emerge unscathed from both contests, the Brit aims to secure a blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury in summer 2026.
Froch's Damning Verdict on Joshua's Legacy
Froch, speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, questioned whether Joshua even possesses a meaningful legacy in the sport. "Does this damage AJ's legacy? Well, I don't want to be horrible, but what legacy? What is AJ's legacy?" Froch stated.
The former super-middleweight champion acknowledged Joshua's role in bringing boxing to mainstream audiences and filling stadiums, but delivered a harsh assessment of his performances against elite competition. "When he's stepped up to elite level, he's been found wanting," Froch remarked, referencing Joshua's losses to Andy Ruiz, two defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, and his recent knockout by Daniel Dubois.
"He got absolutely flattened, ironed out by Daniel Dubois - we all saw it. And for me, that was the end of him, and that was over a year ago," Froch added.
The Financial Motivation Behind the Fight
Froch suggested Joshua is effectively "cashing out" by entering what he described as the "clown world" of influencer boxing. The financial incentives are substantial, with reports indicating the total prize pot for the controversial bout reaches £140 million, split equally between both fighters.
This represents another enormous payday for Joshua, who previously earned approximately £30 million for his knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in March 2024.
Despite the financial rewards, Froch remains adamant that Joshua hasn't earned Hall of Fame status. "He's not had a Hall of Fame career. 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.
The fight is scheduled to stream live on Netflix, with the main event expected around 11pm local time in Miami (4am UK time), though exact timing depends on the undercard duration.
