Oleksandr Usyk or Andy Ruiz Are Not the Hardest Punchers Anthony Joshua Has Named

When it comes to heavyweight boxing, Anthony Joshua has shared the ring with some of the sport’s biggest punchers. From championship rivals to rising contenders, the British star has been tested against the hardest hitters in the game. Surprisingly, when asked about the most powerful punch he has ever absorbed, Joshua revealed that it was not Oleksandr Usyk or Andy Ruiz Jr. who earned that title. Instead, he gave the honor to a legendary former champion: Wladimir Klitschko.

This revelation sheds light not only on Joshua’s career but also on the raw power of a heavyweight icon who defined an era. To understand the weight of this statement, it’s worth revisiting Joshua’s rise, his biggest battles, and why the Klitschko fight remains such a pivotal moment in his career.

Anthony Joshua’s Rise to Stardom

Before becoming one of the most recognized names in boxing, Anthony Joshua was an amateur standout. His breakthrough came in 2011 when he won a silver medal at the World Championships. Just one year later, he cemented his reputation on the grandest stage by claiming Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games.

With his imposing frame, knockout power, and charisma, Joshua turned professional in 2013. Within three years, he had captured his first world title by defeating Charles Martin in 2016 for the IBF heavyweight crown. The victory announced Joshua as a dominant new force in the division, capable of filling stadiums and reviving heavyweight boxing in the UK.

Championship Glory and Big-Name Fights

After winning his first belt, Joshua continued his meteoric rise by collecting titles and headlining massive events. He unified the heavyweight championship by adding the WBA and IBO belts to his collection when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017 at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 fans.

That fight was a turning point, not just in Joshua’s career, but in the entire heavyweight division. Klitschko, a long-reigning champion, tested Joshua like no opponent before. Despite being knocked down, Joshua rallied to stop Klitschko in the 11th round in what remains one of the most thrilling heavyweight contests of the modern era.

Joshua would go on to defend his titles against the likes of Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, and Alexander Povetkin. However, his aura of invincibility was shattered in June 2019 when Andy Ruiz Jr. stunned the world by stopping him in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden.

Joshua avenged the loss later that year in a rematch in Saudi Arabia, regaining his belts with a disciplined boxing performance. Yet, the challenges continued as he later dropped his titles again to Oleksandr Usyk, who outboxed him in back-to-back fights.

Anthony Joshua on the Hardest Puncher He Has Faced

Despite the setbacks against Ruiz and Usyk, Joshua insists that the hardest punch he ever felt came from Wladimir Klitschko. Speaking on the Pound for Pound podcast in 2024, Joshua explained:

“Who’s hit me the hardest? Yeah, Klitschko. I was gonna say Ruiz, but when he hit me that was like a concussion on the back of my head. When I went in with Klitschko, yeah, I just knew this could go two ways. I could either win or I’m gonna be laid out on my back. You know when you get carried out on a stretcher?”

The comment underlines the respect Joshua has for Klitschko’s legendary punching power. Ruiz may have caused one of Joshua’s biggest career upsets, and Usyk may have outclassed him, but neither, according to Joshua, matched the raw force of Klitschko’s shots.

Why Wladimir Klitschko Earned Joshua’s Respect

For over a decade, Wladimir Klitschko dominated the heavyweight division with his trademark jab, crushing right hand, and tactical discipline. His reign included 18 consecutive world title defenses, making him one of the most successful heavyweight champions of all time.

When Klitschko met Joshua in 2017, many thought the Ukrainian was past his prime. Yet, the fight proved otherwise. Klitschko dropped Joshua with a thunderous right hand in the sixth round, nearly ending the contest. Joshua later admitted that he felt the fight could have gone either way at that moment.

That single punch, and the pressure Klitschko maintained throughout, clearly left a lasting impression on Joshua. Despite Joshua’s eventual victory, it was the sheer danger of Klitschko’s power that stuck with him years later.

The Legacy of Joshua vs. Klitschko

The Joshua vs. Klitschko showdown is often hailed as one of the best heavyweight fights of the 21st century. It featured multiple knockdowns, momentum swings, and a dramatic finish. More importantly, it bridged two eras of heavyweight boxing—Klitschko’s long dominance and Joshua’s rise as the new face of the division.

The fight also symbolized a passing of the torch. Klitschko retired shortly afterward, while Joshua became a global superstar. For Joshua, defeating Klitschko was proof that he belonged among the elite, but it also provided the toughest test of his physical and mental limits.

Joshua’s Other Notable Opponents

While Joshua points to Klitschko as the hardest puncher, his career has been filled with dangerous rivals.

• Andy Ruiz Jr. shocked the world with his hand speed and inside fighting, dropping Joshua multiple times in 2019. Joshua admitted Ruiz’s punches disoriented him but clarified that they didn’t carry the same concussive force as Klitschko’s.

• Oleksandr Usyk twice defeated Joshua, but his wins came from technical brilliance rather than knockout power. Usyk’s sharp footwork, angles, and endurance outclassed Joshua rather than overwhelmed him physically.

• Dillian Whyte, a domestic rival, gave Joshua one of his earliest tests in 2015, rocking him with a big left hook before Joshua rallied for a knockout win.

• Joseph Parker and Carlos Takam offered toughness and durability but lacked the devastating power of Klitschko or Ruiz.

Each opponent added to Joshua’s experience, but none left the same impression as Klitschko’s frightening right hand.

What’s Next for Anthony Joshua?

As of late 2025, Anthony Joshua’s next move remains uncertain, but speculation is swirling about blockbuster fights in 2026. Potential opponents include Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, and Deontay Wilder, known for his knockout power.

Both fights would represent massive events for the sport, and either would test Joshua’s resilience once more. Facing Fury would be a battle of British supremacy, while a showdown with Wilder would pit Joshua against arguably the most devastating puncher of his generation.

Joshua has expressed interest in both, but fans and pundits are waiting to see which deal comes first. Regardless of the opponent, Joshua remains one of the biggest attractions in boxing and a key figure in the heavyweight division.

The Psychology of Facing Heavy Punchers

Boxers often emphasize that facing a power puncher requires more than just physical preparation. It demands a unique mental approach. Joshua’s comments about Klitschko highlight this: stepping into the ring knowing that one punch could end the night forces a fighter to balance aggression with caution.

This psychological battle is as important as the physical one. For Joshua, surviving Klitschko’s power and rallying to win by knockout remains one of the defining mental triumphs of his career.

Conclusion: Respect Between Champions

Anthony Joshua’s acknowledgment of Wladimir Klitschko as the hardest puncher he has ever faced underscores the immense respect he holds for the former champion. While his losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk remain pivotal moments, it was Klitschko’s raw power that left the deepest mark.

The admission also reminds fans of the incredible night at Wembley in 2017, when two generations collided in a battle for heavyweight supremacy. For Joshua, it was both a trial by fire and a career-defining victory.

As Joshua looks ahead to future challenges against the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, fans will always remember that it was Klitschko’s legendary right hand that the British star considers the most dangerous weapon he has ever faced.