The only amateur to KO Anthony Joshua wants rematch
Mihai Nistor wants to run it back with KO victim Anthony Joshua
Romanian heavyweight Mihai Nistor (8-0, 8 KOs) is calling for a rematch with Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs).
As an amateur, Nistor won seven national titles between 2010-2018, two European bronze medals, plus a World Combat Games silver.
En route to the southpaw's first European medal in the Turkish capital of Ankara in 2011, Nistor became the first man to stop AJ when they locked horns in the quarter-finals.
It marked Joshua's second defeat in boxing, the first coming at the hands of Dillian Whyte in 2009.
After two closely-contested, hard-fought rounds, Nistor caught the Brit with a thunderous left hook in the third that buckled his knees. Backed to the ropes, AJ moved to his left, threw a very slow, lazy right hand that missed the target and didn't come back to his guard quick enough, allowing Nistor to land a swinging left hook that hurt the Brit instantly.
Momentarily held up by the ropes, the referee gave Joshua a count, then subsequently stopped the contest after he was caught with another identical shot moments later, still on shaky legs.
AJ went on to win Olympic gold in 2012, and Nistor took part in the Rio 2016 Olympics, but was eliminated in the round of 16.
Nistor went on to fight in the World Series Boxing, representing Astana Arlans, Italia Thunder, and Fighting Roosters, where he fought against Oleksandr Usyk in 2013. He also fought the likes of Nelson Hysa; Tony Yoka; Filip Hrgovic; Otto Wallin; Mourad Aliev; Soloman Dacres; Frazer Clarke.
He finished his amateur career on an impressive record of 138-19.
Now 34, Nistor is 8-0, 8 KOs as a professional, but only fought once per year between 2019-2022, his momentum stalled by the pandemic. He managed to fight a further four fights within 13 months between 2023-2024.
He told World Boxing News, "I'd love to box again with my former rivals. If I could box against Joshua and Usyk again, that would be my goal.
"But, right now, I'm just not with them. I have been continuing to win fights. I'm a bit disappointed with my career. I was held back for two years because of the pandemic."
He last fought in 14 months ago in April 2024 when he blasted Peruvian journeyman David Zegarra away in two rounds in his native Romania.
Prior to that, he retired Colombian Jhan Carlo Delgado after three rounds in England in September 2023. He has beaten five opponents with winning records, but not yet stepped up in class against a significant name.
"I am confident and convinced I will make it to the level of Joshua and Usyk," he confidently concluded.
