Darren Barker: Does AJ still have the desire and fire to beat arch-rival?

In his latest exclusive column for DAZN News, former IBF world middleweight champ Darren Barker gives his thoughts on whether Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are still destined to collide in a heavyweight blockbuster.

Summer showdown for AJ?

A July return could be on the cards for Anthony Joshua — but it won’t be against Tyson Fury.

Does he still have that fire? That desire? Is the desire positioned and channelled in the correct way?

If it is, we may see a new and improved version of Anthony Joshua — one that’s stubborn and obsessed with victory for who he’s lost.

Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images

Boxing's a very lonely sport and you need people that are close to you, so it all comes down to where AJ’s mind is.

Ultimately, it boils down to whether he can do it without two dear friends who were a massive part of his team. Or whether he can do it for them.

I had the same sort of decision to make when I lost my brother Gary. He was my closest friend when it came to boxing — and in life. I had to ask myself whether I could do it without him.

Once his comeback is done and dusted, it seems inevitable that Fury will be on the radar again.

I've changed my opinion a few times with this one. There was a stage where Fury looked unbeatable. 

After what he went through personally, rebuilt and put in those performances against Deontay Wilder, you'd have leaned towards the Gypsy King.

But I just feel there's a lot of factors and reasons why Joshua could beat him. I think if he catches any heavyweight cleanly, they're going out.

So I'll probably just lean towards Joshua at this moment because I know how much fighting for something greater than yourself can do for you.

Although you don't want to have to be doing that, it can give you that extra percentage. If the Fury fight happens, I think Joshua does it.

Arslanbek Makhmudov is a decent name for Fury’s comeback on April 11 and it’s clever matchmaking. It’s one he wins comfortably, if I'm honest.

There’s always the question mark, not just about Fury but anyone who's been out the ring for so long and gets to this stage of their career, of how much is left? Can he still move like he used to? Does he still want it like he used to?

Unfortunately, fighters can age overnight. It does happen, so there's always that. There will always be that question mark every time Fury fights.

But I don't think it will be an issue against Makhmudov. He'll just have too much for him and is better in every department.

Darren Barker was speaking to Gavin Glicksman

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPVs included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN's new Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including Wilder vs. Chisora (April 4), and Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), on top of another 185 fight nights. Plus Serie A football, watch on multiple devices, and many more extra benefits.

Sign up for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.