Chinese heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang has advised Anthony Joshua to quit boxing. He said the British boxer is “finished” following his shocking defeat by Daniel Dubois in September.
Joshua’s bid to become a three-time world champion ended in disaster when he was knocked down four times before suffering a fifth-round knockout against IBF champion Dubois at Wembley Stadium in front of 98,000 fans.
“My personal humble opinion is that he is finished, and he should look into investment,” Zhang told DAZN via AceOdds.
“He should look into retirement and get himself wrapped up with the business side of it. Whatever he wants to do, just go ahead and choose that route,” he stated.
The Chinese boxer, who last fought in June with a brutal knockout of Deontay Wilder, expressed interest in fighting Joshua despite his assessment of the Brit’s career decline.
“With everything being said, of course, I do want to fight him, but I don’t think he wants to fight me. I don’t think Eddie Hearn will put him anywhere near me,” Zhang asserted.
Zhang’s retirement call comes after former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis advised Joshua to take a break from boxing following the devastating loss.
“No, I don’t think he should take the rematch. I think he should take a rest for a minute and then come back,” Lewis told Box Nation.
The British boxing legend believes Joshua’s peak came during his victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.
