35-Year-Old Boxer Dropped from Ring’s Top 10: Can He Bounce Back or Is This the End?
For the first time in years, Anthony Joshua’s name is nowhere to be found in Ring Magazine’s Top 10 Heavyweight rankings. For a fighter once universally praised as the pride and glory of UK boxing. This dramatic surprise marks a shift in the landscape of not only boxing but also what this means for Anthony Joshua’s personal career. Surely a question is imposed: can AJ bounce back, or is this the final chapter?
A Fall From the Top
Joshua’s removal from the Ring’s elite isn’t something to glance over, as it reflects the topmost hierarchy of boxing’s most excellent contenders in recent history. So for Joshua to be not even mentioned is monumental. While he’s still a household name, some of his contenders have surpassed him in their resumes.
Zhilei Zhang has looked monstrous. Filip Hrgovic is undefeated and climbing. Jared Anderson is knocking on the door. Even Joseph Parker, who AJ beat in 2018, has surged back with a strong 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, Joshua’s own recent wins—notably his 2023 victory over Otto Wallin—haven’t been enough to keep him locked in among the best. Inactivity and cautious matchmaking have taken their toll.
Can Anthony Joshua Bounce Back?
Certainly, but only if he’s willing to take real risks. Joshua is still in his prime, and with an Olympic pedigree and knockout power, he’s still a capable powerhouse among other contenders, but the boxing mythos of legendary fighters is built on the emphasis of competition; lately, AJ’s inactivity contradicts this notion. He needs to stop protecting his brand and start chasing meaningful fights. The time for tune-ups is over. The top 10 didn’t forget Anthony Joshua. This breakdown of boxing’s new kings explains how the division is being redefined, one fight at a time.
What AJ Needs to Do
The roadmap back to the top isn’t complicated—but it is dangerous. Joshua must stay active, fight at least twice over the next 12 months, and do so against real threats. Here are three matchups that would force the boxing world to take him seriously again. Deontay Wilder is still dangerous despite recent losses. A win over Wilder would erase a lot of doubts overnight. Filip Hrgovic is risky, but beating an undefeated contender would launch AJ right back into title contention. Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker: The winner would be a big fight with significant implications and international appeal. More than names, what Joshua needs most is a sense of urgency. The division is evolving, and the next wave is coming fast. If AJ waits too long, the moment will pass him for good.
New Chapter or Last Page?
Being dropped from the Ring Magazine Top 10 might feel like a fall from grace, but it could also be a turning point. The truth is, Anthony Joshua still has everything he needs to succeed—except time. He must decide if he’s chasing redemption or just cashing checks. Some fighters fade quietly. Others roar back louder than ever.
