Dubois vs Hrgovic: Rejuvenated Anthony Joshua's heavyweight title path after explosive KO run

Anthony Joshua is back to reckoning in the world of boxing.

Dubois vs Hrgovic: Rejuvenated Anthony Joshua's heavyweight title path after explosive KO run

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 16:33 - 01.06.2024

Anthony Joshua defeated Francis Ngannou via knockout in just five minutes, earning him a shot at the undisputed world titles.

British-born Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has reignited his championship dreams with a scintillating run of knockout victories.

Joshua has put himself firmly back in the world title picture ahead of a potential showdown with the winner of this weekend's heavyweight clash between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois.

Anthony Joshua’s latest path to glory

The former unified world champion will be an interested spectator when the unbeaten pair collide in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with the victor potentially lying in wait for Joshua later this year.

However, the Olympic gold medalist's immediate future could also hinge on the uncertain status of Oleksandr Usyk's IBF strap, with Joshua and the Hrgovic-Dubois winner likely to be frontrunners to contest the vacant title per a Sky Sports report.

Nigerian-born boxer Anthony Joshua is eyeing a return to the top of boxing.
Nigerian-born boxer Anthony Joshua is eyeing a return to the top of boxing.

Joshua's blistering form has reignited hopes of a third world title reign, with the Nigerian riding a wave of momentum following stunning knockout wins over Francis Ngannou, Robert Helenius, and Otto Wallin to close out 2023.

His resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable, coming on the back of back-to-back defeats to the imperious Usyk that threatened to derail his career.

Anthony Joshua was too good for Francis Ngannou
Anthony Joshua was too good for Francis Ngannou || X

But Joshua has responded decisively, rediscovering the destructive power that once made him the scourge of the heavyweight division.

Across the ring, the much-hyped Hrgovic-Dubois showdown promises fireworks, with the unbeaten Croatian putting his perfect 17-0 record on the line against the 20-2 Dubois, fresh off a 10th-round stoppage of Jarrell Miller late last year.

Anthony Joshua and John Fury.

For Joshua, either dance partner would present a compelling challenge as he bids to reclaim his place at the summit of the heavyweight mountain.

Yet, the rejuvenated 34-year-old will undoubtedly have loftier ambitions, with a potential blockbuster unification bout against Usyk offering the chance to settle unfinished business and reclaim his status as the king of the blue-riband division.

Oleksandr Usyk, the current IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight world champion, has stated that he wants to honor Ukraine when he fights Daniel Dubois of Great Britain on August 26 in Wroclaw.

As the boxing world descends on Saudi Arabia later tonight, all eyes will be on Hrgovic and Dubois as they vie for supremacy and a potential date with destiny against the resurgent Joshua in the coming months.

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