Anthony Joshua took a deep look at himself after his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The Watford powerhouse was dropped four times en route to being blown away in five rounds by Dubois.
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Joshua hasn’t fought since a fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois in September 2024Credit: Getty
While Joshua showed immense heart to continually get back to his feet and roll the dice, it felt like the closing of the penultimate chapter in his career.
The defeat was equally damaging and unforgiving, and it led to a lengthy 15-month hiatus from the ring.
A decent chunk of his time on the sidelines was filled by the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation of a lingering shoulder injury.
However, it was also an important period of reflection.
READ MORE ON BOXING Anthony Joshua opens up about Daniel Dubois loss
“I always say this: For every time you win, there is a reason, for every time you lose, there is a reason,” said Joshua on his YouTube channel.
“So… why I pause is, when you lose, you tend to take a deeper look at yourself.
“Take time to figure out what went wrong.
“I had to look at the reasons why I lost, and I said to myself, ‘I think I need a bit of time.’
“I predicted this moment in… 2018? Not the loss, but the work I was taking on was a lot.
“Inside training, preparing for fights, working outside of boxing – for any man or any woman, at some stage, they probably need a bit of a reset.
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Joshua’s showdown with Dubois appeared to be a formality pre-fight, although Dubois had other ideasCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
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Joshua ends his 15-month hiatus on Friday against PaulCredit: Getty
“I came to that stage really in 2025, where it was that time.
“I thought, ‘You know what, I think I need a year out of the game.’”
Joshua’s break from competition comes to an end on Friday night when he locks horns with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The pair are set to square off in a professional heavyweight clash that Joshua is expected to end inside two rounds.
Providing everything goes to plan, he will make a quick turnaround in February before diving into a blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury in the summer.
According to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, AJ has accepted his side of the agreement.
They are just waiting on Fury to do the same.