Mihai Nistor Open to Rematch with Anthony Joshua
In a recent interview with World Boxing News, Romanian boxer Mihai Nistor expressed his willingness to face off again against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in the future. Nistor, who had a distinguished amateur career with 64 matches, notably became the first fighter to knock Joshua out back in 2011 during the European Championships quarter-final held in Turkey. This loss marked Joshua’s second defeat in the ring, following an earlier points defeat to Dillian Whyte in 2009.
Nistor’s Professional Journey
Nistor transitioned into professional boxing at the age of 28, making his debut in late 2019 and has since maintained an impressive winning streak, winning all eight of his professional bouts by knockout. The 34-year-old has faced numerous high-caliber opponents, including Oleksandr Usyk, Filip Hrgovic, Guido Vianello, Frazer Clarke, and Olympic champion Tony Yoka, gaining invaluable experience that he now carries into his professional career.
Confidence and Aspirations
Confident in his abilities, Nistor believes he is closing the gap to Joshua’s level and stated his readiness to accept an offer from Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn for a rematch.
“I’d love to box again with my former rivals. If I could box against Joshua and Usyk again, that would be my goal,”
Nistor stated, reflecting on his aspirations and the setbacks he faced during the pandemic, which he feels hindered his progress in the sport.
Analysis of Joshua’s Recent Performances
Analyzing Joshua’s recent performances, Nistor opined that Joshua’s losses to Usyk were a result of superior technique from the Ukrainian boxer. He added that Joshua’s subsequent defeat against Daniel Dubois might stem from a lack of mental recovery following his defeats.
“I believe that after the defeats to Usyk, Joshua didn’t recover mentally enough. I think that led to the loss against Dubois. He wasn’t focused,”
Nistor observed.
Predictions for Future Matches
In his predictions regarding Joshua’s potential upcoming matches, Nistor indicated that he sees Deontay Wilder as a tough opponent for Joshua but acknowledged the challenges Wilder would face against Usyk.
“I believe Wilder can beat Joshua. But, as we know, with Usyk it’s more difficult for Deontay Wilder to win,”
he said.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Nistor is eager to return to the ring sometime in June or July. He noted,
“I expect to get back in the ring soon. I’ll be back and ready for anyone.”
Meanwhile, Joshua is currently recuperating from an injury and is not expected to make his next appearance until the fall. If Joshua seeks a comeback bout ahead of a potential fight with Wilder, a rematch with Nistor could serve as an intriguing option, considering their past bout that left a significant mark on both boxers’ careers.
