Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has labeled Anthony Joshua as an overrated fighter following the Brit’s unexpected fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley. In the bout, Joshua was dropped four times, which not only cost him the IBF title but also significantly diminished his chances of securing an undisputed championship fight.

The loss has cast doubt on Joshua’s future in boxing, although the former two-time unified heavyweight champion has stated he will not retire. Arum, known for his candid opinions, criticized Joshua’s performance, saying, “I’ve never been high on Joshua, but I never thought he was a great fighter, particularly after the Andy Ruiz fight. Again, it didn’t surprise me. I think Joshua is very, very vulnerable.”

Arum’s remarks were largely influenced by Joshua’s 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden, which marked Joshua’s first professional defeat. While Joshua did secure a rematch victory against Ruiz, Arum maintains that the initial loss exposed significant weaknesses in the British boxer’s skill set.

Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davidson, has also faced scrutiny, with former world champion Roy Jones Jr. suggesting that Joshua should consider parting ways with him. While a rematch with Dubois is a possibility, Arum cautioned against it, stating, “I think the silliest thing for Joshua would be to fight Dubois again.”

Despite this setback, Joshua still has options for high-profile bouts. Reports indicate that Saudi Arabian officials are interested in promoting a Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight, regardless of Joshua’s recent performance. Additionally, a potential matchup with Deontay Wilder remains viable, as Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott has expressed interest, despite Wilder’s recent losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

As Joshua weighs his next steps, uncertainty looms over his long-term future in the sport. With reported career earnings of $400 million, his financial security is assured, raising questions about the wisdom of continuing to risk further punishment in the ring.