Anthony Joshua ushered in the new year with soccer superstar Erling Haaland at a Dubai party. The two sporting celebrities were joined by their friends. Photos taken at the venue now seem to be doing the rounds across social media.
Upon encountering a picture featuring the six-foot-six-inch-tall Anthony Joshua standing next to the equally powerfully built and tall Erling Haaland (measuring six feet and four inches), a flood of comments began to pour in. Needless to say, many ventured a guess about the two giants of the sporting world facing off against each other. Despite the inherent advantage ‘AJ’ would likely have in an actual combat scenario, most seemed to be favoring Haaland as their imaginations ran wild in various directions.
The Striker triumphs over the Boxer!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Both Joshua and Haaland are riding high on the success of the fantastic year that just passed. With three consecutive wins, ‘AJ’ could be looking forward to a title bout and a big payday return this year. This follower stated matter-of-factly that all Haaland needed to do was throw a jab, and Anthony Joshua would be flattened.
One jab from Haaland and AJ goes down
— Ultra Messi (Fan) (@SuperMessi10i) January 1, 2024
However, a die-hard Joshua fan jumped in to defend their icon. But maybe with a pinch of salt, they added that the former heavyweight champion would win by points.
Think AJ takes him on points.
— thomas ellis (@tom300479) January 1, 2024
But then again, this follower added that Haaland would knock down Anthony Joshua with his jab.
Haaland would jab his head off
— Simon (@Linea1Fury) January 1, 2024
Echoing similar sentiments, this user pointed out that Haaland had defeated Anthony Joshua when they sparred.
Apparently Haaland put him down in sparring.
— ThatchersTerraceMeltdown 🇰🇼🏴☠️ (@ThatchersMelt) January 2, 2024
This follower postulated that Erling Haaland could be Anthony Joshua’s next opponent.
Joshua’s next opponent.
— Tom Harmer (@sillyboymaurice) January 1, 2024
As most fans would know, Erling Haaland received the Golden Boot for netting 36 goals in the 2022–23 season of the Premier League. He was traveling to the UAE after Manchester City defeated Sheffield United on Saturday. However, a foot injury prevented his participation in the game. As such, he has already sat out for nearly six matches.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
A great year ahead for Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua went from strength to strength this year. First, after a unanimous victory over the American Jermaine Franklin, he finished the Finn Robert Helenius with a seventh-round knockout. Finally, the year-end ‘Day of Reckoning’ saw him force another Scandinavian heavyweight, Otto Wallin, to call out for a fifth-round retirement. Doubts persist over the mega-bout with Deontay Wilder, given the American heavyweight’s surprise loss to Joseph Parker. But on the other hand, there are other avenues available for ‘AJ’, such as pursuing Filip Hrgovic for a title eliminator. Else he could after Zhilei Zhang‘s WBO (interim) heavyweight title. Then there’s always the option to call out Francis Ngannou.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What’s your take on Anthony Joshua’s next opponent alternates? Please share your views with us in the comments below.
Watch This Story: Anthony Joshua Responds to Conor McGregor Teaching His Son the Combo He Used to Knock Out Robert Helenius