Anthony Joshua’s Comeback: From Anticipation to Action in 2023
As 2022 drew to a close, the boxing world eagerly awaited the return of former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua’s career stood at a crossroads, with promoter Eddie Hearn outlining an ambitious three-fight plan for 2023 aimed at rebuilding “AJ’s” momentum and re-establishing his dominance in the division. The initial announcement, made in December 2022, pointed towards a comeback fight in late March or early April, with the O2 Arena in London as the likely venue.
Hearn had named several potential contenders for Joshua’s return, including Zhilei Zhang, Otto Wallin, Dillian Whyte, and Jermaine Franklin. With the fight slated for the O2 Arena rather than a larger stadium, Dillian Whyte was initially considered an unlikely option. Zhang and Wallin were also being considered as opponents for Joe Joyce in the near future. The anticipation was palpable, not just for the opponent, but also for the crucial decision surrounding Joshua’s training team, a factor that would heavily influence his preparations for the year ahead.
The First Step Back: Joshua vs. Franklin and a New Coaching Chapter
Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated return to the ring materialized on April 1, 2023, at the O2 Arena in London, where he faced American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin. This marked Joshua’s first non-world title fight since December 2015 and a critical opportunity to snap a two-fight losing streak. Franklin, entering the bout with a respectable record of 21 wins and 1 loss (14 KOs), had previously gone the distance with Dillian Whyte in November 2022, losing by majority decision.
Under the guidance of new trainer Derrick James, Joshua aimed to showcase a refreshed approach. James, a highly respected American boxing trainer known for his work with champions like Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence, took over Joshua’s corner after “AJ” had briefly worked with Robert Garcia for his second fight against Usyk. Joshua expressed confidence in James’s methods, stating, “I locked myself down for 11 years with one coach, and now I just feel like I want to learn as much as possible. I feel I’m in a position where I’m able to work with anyone. So, yeah, who knows what will happen next year.” He further elaborated, “I feel like Derrick James as an individual is one of the best coaches I’ve seen and spoken to, and I really respect him. If you put Derrick James anywhere in America, anywhere in the UK, I would still get the benefits of working with him.”
The fight itself saw Joshua secure a unanimous decision victory over Franklin with scorecards reading 118-111, 117-111, and 117-111. While a clear win, Joshua’s performance was described as cautious, relying heavily on his jab, and he was unable to drop or finish the durable Franklin. Despite a bloody nose in the second round, Joshua was never in serious trouble, outlanding Franklin 117 to 58 punches according to CompuBox. This victory, though not a definitive knockout statement, successfully put Joshua back in the win column and provided valuable rounds under his new trainer.
The Unfolding 2023 Plan: Whyte Cancellation and Wilder Delay
Eddie Hearn’s ambitious vision for Anthony Joshua’s 2023 campaign included three fights, with potential blockbuster matchups against Dillian Whyte in the summer and Deontay Wilder to cap off the year. While the first fight against Jermaine Franklin went ahead as planned, the subsequent schedule faced significant disruptions.
A highly anticipated rematch with Dillian Whyte was indeed scheduled for August 12, 2023, at the O2 Arena, setting up a second professional encounter between the two British rivals who had first met in 2015. Both fighters were coming off decision wins against Jermaine Franklin, adding an interesting narrative to the rematch. However, the fight was dramatically canceled just a week before the event after Dillian Whyte returned “Adverse Analytical Findings” as part of a random anti-doping protocol by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
In a swift turn of events, Joshua instead faced Robert Helenius on August 12, 2023, at the O2 Arena, securing a seventh-round knockout victory. This unexpected change highlighted the unpredictable nature of heavyweight boxing and Joshua’s commitment to staying active. Following this, for his December 2023 bout against Otto Wallin, Joshua made another change to his training team, opting to work with British coach Ben Davison. Joshua explained the decision, citing the difficulties of training in America and the short notice for the Wallin fight, stating he had spoken to Derrick James who was “cool” with the move. Joshua went on to defeat Otto Wallin by technical knockout in the fifth round on December 23, 2023.
The much-discussed showdown with Deontay Wilder, which had seen “positive discussions” between Hearn and Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel, ultimately did not materialize in 2023. While a lucrative deal for a two-fight series between Joshua and Wilder in 2024 was reportedly “signed and ready to go,” Wilder’s unanimous decision loss to Joseph Parker on December 23, 2023, significantly impacted the immediate prospects of this mega-fight. Despite this setback, Joshua has expressed that he still believes a fight with Wilder could happen in the future.
Implications for the Heavyweight Division and Joshua’s Future
The events of 2023 had significant implications for Anthony Joshua and the wider heavyweight landscape. While his comeback began cautiously against Jermaine Franklin (who holds a professional record of 24 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws), Joshua demonstrated his power with the knockout of Robert Helenius and a dominant performance against Otto Wallin. These victories, alongside his evolving training team, signal a continued effort to refine his style and regain his championship form. Joshua’s current professional record stands at 29 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws, with 26 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
The original article also mentioned Zhilei Zhang and Otto Wallin as potential opponents for Joe Joyce. Interestingly, Zhilei Zhang went on to face Joe Joyce twice in 2023, winning both encounters. Zhang secured a TKO victory in the sixth round on April 15, 2023, and then delivered a devastating third-round knockout in their rematch on September 23, 2023, to retain the WBO interim heavyweight title. These results elevated Zhang’s profile significantly within the division.
Hearn’s initial plan for Joshua to fight three times in 2023, culminating in a potential clash with Deontay Wilder, showcased an ambitious roadmap. While the Dillian Whyte rematch was derailed by unforeseen circumstances, and the Wilder fight was postponed due to Wilder’s own defeat, the intent for Joshua to remain active and pursue top-tier opposition remains clear. Fans remain skeptical, stating that they’ll believe it when they see it, particularly regarding the long-awaited Wilder bout. However, with Joshua continuing to compete and adapt, the prospect of major fights against the division’s elite, including the enduring possibility of a clash with Deontay Wilder (who currently holds a record of 45 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw), continues to fuel speculation and excitement for the future of heavyweight boxing.
