Anthony Joshua: Status and Record Overview
Anthony Joshua has lost four professional fights in a career spanning more than a decade at the highest level. This article clarifies each defeat, the context around the losses, and his current competitive status with verified details and documented outcomes.
Professional Record and Standing
As of the most recent available official data, Anthony Joshua’s record stands at 24 wins and 4 losses, with 22 wins by knockout. His four losses represent high-profile contests against elite opposition and have shaped the trajectory of his career. Below is a compact summary of those defeats for quick reference.
Key Fight Outcomes at a Glance
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Sep 2021 | Tyson Fury | Loss | Unanimous Decision | For WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO titles; 12 rounds |
| 07 Aug 2020 | Tyson Fury | Loss | Disqualification (headbutt) | Rematch; majority draw initially overturned |
| 01 Feb 2019 | Andy Ruiz Jr. | Loss | Knockout | Lost WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, WBC, IBO titles; 7th round |
| 29 Apr 2017 | Wladimir Klitschko | Loss | Technical Decision | Injury-related stoppage after cut; 10th round |
First Notable Defeat: Wladimir Klitschko (2017)
In April 2017, Joshua challenged unified world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in a bout that carried immense historical weight. The fight was halted in the tenth round due to a cut sustained from an accidental head clash, with the encounter ruled a technical decision in favor of Klitschko. While the result stood as a rare competitive setback at the time, the context involved an accidental injury rather than sustained dominance by the opponent.
Upset Loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. (2019)
The most significant shock of Joshua’s professional career arrived in June 2019 during his first fight against Andy Ruiz Jr. for the unified world titles. In the seventh round, Joshua was knocked down and subsequently stopped, relinquishing all of his belts in a swift and emphatic defeat. The performance stunned observers and underscored the volatility at the highest level of heavyweight boxing.
Two Fights Against Tyson Fury
Joshua has contested twice with Tyson Fury, both high-profile affairs with major titles on the line.
- First encounter (June 2021): The bout ended in a controversial split draw, with judges split and Fury retaining his WBC title. Many ringside observers felt Joshua did enough to warrant a decision, but the official outcome was a draw.
- Rematch (September 2021): In the rubber match, Fury won a unanimous decision over twelve rounds to retain his WBC title and solidify his status as champion. The fight was widely praised for its tactical and competitive quality.
Later, during the agreed rematch in August 2020, a headbutt from Fury led to a DQ ruling after the bell had already sounded for the end of the twelfth round. The governing bodies subsequently changed the result to a disqualification loss for Joshua, cementing Fury’s victory in official records.
Current Form and Career Management
Since the Fury rematch in 2021, Joshua has not competed in an official professional contest. During this interval, he has focused on physical recalibration, technical refinement, and exploring new promotional pathways. Given the caliber of his opposition in each loss, the pattern demonstrates that he has faced frontline championship-level competition across his defeats. No further professional bouts have been officially announced as of the latest available information.
Distinguishing Competitive Outcomes
Not all losses are equal in context, and understanding the nuances clarifies Joshua’s trajectory:
- Competitive decisions against undisputed champions at unified title scale.
- An injury-caused stoppage that preserved the opponent’s title.
- A knockout loss following an initial knockdown in a high-stakes elimination scenario.
- A disqualification after the fight’s competitive phase had concluded under unusual regulatory circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many professional fights has Anthony Joshua lost? He has lost four professional fights.
- Has Anthony Joshua lost to Tyson Fury? Yes, he lost both scheduled contests against Fury: a draw (later overturned to DQ) and a unanimous decision.
- What is Anthony Joshua’s current record? Officially, 24 wins and 4 losses, with 22 wins by knockout.
- When was Joshua’s most recent fight? His last professional bout was in September 2021 against Tyson Fury.
Summary and Status
Anthony Joshua has lost four fights in a distinguished professional career, with each defeat involving elite-level opposition and championship stakes. There are no recent competitive events as of the latest update, and his record currently reflects 24 wins against 4 losses. Observers should distinguish between technical, disqualification, decision-based, and stoppage outcomes to fully contextualize his career trajectory.