ANTHONY JOSHUA has been warned his chin has been cracked and he can no longer “take a shot”.
The Watford warrior has only been stopped once in his career but has shown a susceptibility to being hurt since his stunning upset defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr four years ago.
AJ has boxed cautiously ever since that fateful night at Madison Square Garden, which Barry McGuigan believes but did a number on his willingness to stay in the fire.
During an appearance on William Hill’s Up Front with Simon Jordan, the former WBA featherweight champion said: “I really like Anthony Joshua and I don’t really know him personally.
“But his ability to take a shot has disappeared.
“He’s not willing to run into the lion’s den and get shots fired at him, shots that miss him by whiskers that could knock him unconscious.
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“I don’t know if he has the want to do that anymore.”
McGuigan reckons AJ’s reluctance to stay in the pocket will be his undoing against his fellow elite heavyweights.
The Irishman continued: “Once that happens, I don’t think he will beat any of the top guys.
“He’s still a great fighter, but I just don’t think he beats the top guys because of that.”
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Joshua, 33, is set to have his chin tested in an August rematch with long-time rival Dillian Whyte.
It’s understood the pair’s third showdown is on the brink of being announced after both teams finally reached a suitable agreement.
Should Joshua get past the Brixton banger, he’ll tee up a December dust-up with long-time rival Deontay Wilder.
And promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed the duo’s long-overdue grudge match is on the verge of being finalised.
He told Boxing News: “Obviously with our meetings with Saudi on Friday, Thursday.
“We’re in a really great place we virtually have a deal agreed in principle subject to a few final discussions.
“We’re meeting them again on Monday.
“I think we’re in a good place but we want to fight on August 12th, and it’s important to his development and his momentum that he does and that’s still the plan.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
