Anthony Joshua has been suspended from boxing for 28 days following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois.
The two-time heavyweight champion was sent to the mat four times as Dubois unleashed a blistering performance to defend his IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium last Saturday.
Joshua was knocked out in the fifth round after a savage right hand from his opponent, leaving him crumbled on the canvas.
As a result of that defeat, Joshua has now been handed a 28-day suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Before anyone panics, Joshua’s ‘ban’ is standard procedure for British fighters who suffer stoppage defeats in the ring.
The brief medical suspension is there for the safety of boxers and prevent them from returning to the ring immediately after a heavy defeat. The procedure is common across the world with boxing’s other governing bodies and in UFC.
In most situations, particularly concerning boxers of Joshua’s standing, the suspension has no bearing on their plans whatsoever. The suspension finishes on 19 October with Joshua having no plans to return to the ring in that period in any case.
This week, Joshua reiterated his desire to return stronger and better than ever after dismissing any suggestions of retirement.
A rematch against Dubois in 2025 is one possible next step with the champion’s promoter Frank Warren this week suggesting February as a potential date.
‘That fight is there. If they want it, they’ve got it, have it in a heartbeat. His next fight will be in February,’ Warren said.
‘That’s when he’ll fight next, and we will work out who that’s going to be in the next week or two weeks.’
Joshua could also wait for the dust to settle on the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on 21 December. Fellow heavyweight Frazer Clarke, who has sparred Joshua for years, believes his old pal would be wise not to rush into any immediate decision.
‘The manner of the loss, it was a destruction job,’ Clarke wrote in his Metro.co.uk column.
‘He and the team have to think carefully. Eddie Hearn has suggested waiting until after Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk meet in their rematch on 21 December. I think that’s a wise thing to do.
‘At this stage, it is about being patient. The good times pass and so do the bad ones. I am sure there is a strategy of what they do next. Whether that’s fight for the belt again in a rematch or wait for the biggest fight in boxing against Fury.’
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