Anthony Joshua admits Topuria loss forced career rethink after brutal defeat

Anthony Joshua has admitted his shock defeat to Ilia Topuria in April forced him to rethink his entire career trajectory.

What happened in Riyadh?

On 19 April 2025, Anthony Joshua lost a brutal unanimous-decision defeat to Ilia Topuria in a WBA and IBF heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The three judges scored the fight 114-113, 115-112, 115-112 in favor of Topuria, handing Joshua his second consecutive loss. The fight ended on points after 12 rounds, with Joshua absorbing heavy early pressure before rallying late.

Why it matters for Anthony Joshua

Joshua told reporters the defeat hit harder than expected. “It made me question everything,” he said. “I’d never lost like that-never felt so out of answers.” The loss followed a 2024 stoppage defeat to Francis Ngannou, leaving Joshua with back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2018. At 35, the British star faces mounting pressure to regain momentum or risk sliding toward retirement talks.

What comes next?

Joshua’s team is already plotting his return. “We’re not rushing,” said Eddie Hearn, his promoter. “He needs time to reset, then we’ll find the right next step.” Speculation points to a high-profile domestic comeback in late 2025 or early 2026, possibly against a former foe like Otto Wallin or Robert Helenius. Joshua himself hinted at a shift in focus. “I’m not the same fighter who beat Ruiz,” he admitted. “But I’m not done yet.”

The bigger picture

Topuria’s victory in Riyadh cemented his status as boxing’s next big thing. The 26-year-old Georgian dropped Joshua in the first round and controlled the pace throughout. Joshua, once the sport’s golden boy, now stares at a crossroads. His next move could define whether he exits as a legend or fades into the twilight of his prime.