Promoter Eddie Hearn has made it clear that finding a replacement for Anthony Joshua's commercial success in the boxing world will be no easy task. According to Hearn, it may take at least four to five years before anyone comes close to duplicating what Joshua has achieved in the sport since turning professional 11 years ago. Despite Joshua's career slowing down, Hearn believes the 2012 Olympic gold medalist still has at least two or three major fights left in him before retiring. These bouts could potentially include matchups against Tyson Fury and a rematch with Daniel Dubois.
Hearn’s comments underline the magnitude of Joshua's impact, particularly in the UK boxing scene. Joshua became a household name after signing with Matchroom in 2013 and knocking out his first 14 opponents within three rounds. However, his path to fame wasn't without controversy, especially after his questionable victories in the 2012 Olympics, where many felt he was given favorable decisions. Still, Joshua's rise to stardom and Hearn’s careful matchmaking helped make him a massive commercial draw.
While financially, Matchroom wouldn't suffer greatly from Joshua's eventual retirement, Hearn acknowledged the personal and cultural impact it would have on the British boxing scene. "Financially, it doesn’t make a difference to us," Hearn said, "but personally, it makes a difference because it’s been an incredible journey." He added that no one from Matchroom’s stable of fighters is ready to fill the void Joshua would leave behind in terms of marketability and public appeal.
Looking ahead, Hearn expressed doubts about finding another fighter who could match Joshua's commercial success anytime soon. He emphasized that fighters often become complacent after achieving financial success, which hampers their ability to grow commercially. Joshua, on the other hand, remained dedicated, consistently staying active and avoiding the pitfall of taking long breaks between fights. "There’s no one in boxing at the moment that can even come close to being commercially the size of Anthony Joshua," Hearn said.
Joshua's ability to captivate fans, particularly in the UK, where boxing enjoys more widespread popularity than in the U.S., has set him apart from many other fighters. Would Joshua have reached similar heights if he had launched his career in the States? Hearn doubts it, noting that Joshua might have struggled to stand out without Hearn’s strategy and the favorable UK fanbase.
Forgot Anthony Joshua's career? Click here.
Image Credit: ESPN