Anthony Joshua’s suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control until October 19 is due to his knockout defeat against Daniel Dubois.
The former heavyweight champion is placed on a standard practice suspension of between 28 and 45 days, as any boxer is once they suffered such a loss. In Joshua’s case, the BBBofC opted for the 28-day minimum suspension.
BBBofC rule 5.8 section C states, “Any contest [wheresoever it takes place] being stopped by the Referee [other than by reason of disqualification], or the retirement of a Boxer, or by a Boxer being counted out in a contest; then the license of such Boxer shall be automatically suspended for a period of 28 or 45 clear days or more at the discretion of the Board’s Senior Medical Officer present at the tournament.
“At the completion of the period of suspension, no Boxer shall return to the ring until he has been certified fit to box by a doctor who may be appointed by the Board or at their discretion by an Area Council.
“Written certificates of fitness to box again must be received at the Registered offices of the Company at least 24 hours prior to the Boxer’s next contest.”
Joshua will be free to return to action as soon as possible. However, AJ is not expected to fight again until at least spring 2025. Joshua could battle Tyson Fury or opt for a rematch with Dubois on Pay Per View, and his team could be changed following a bad defeat.
The 2012 Olympic champion was dropped four times by Dubois and taken out in five painful rounds in the fourth loss of his career and the second via stoppage.
Andy Ruiz Jr. did similarly to Dubois in 2019, as Joshua tumbled down the heavyweight rankings and found himself out of the top five for the first time since 2016.
