Fans label Anthony Joshua the ‘biggest bell*** in boxing’ after blunt interview ahead of his blockbuster clash with Otto Wallin circulates on social media
- The 34-year-old didn't give the impression he was eager to talk about the fight
- Joshua tells his critics: Keep the pressure on me… I'll keep getting better!
- He's ready! We now see a new and confident AJ – Listen to The hook
Boxing fans on social media have criticized an interview given by Anthony Joshua ahead of his 'Day of Reckoning' headline fight against Otto Wallin.
The British heavyweight gave a series of blunt answers when quizzed about his pre-fight preparations ahead of Saturday's fight, as he geared up in 'fight mode'.
Joshua knows the win will likely set up a huge fight with Deontay Wilder – who is also on the card opposite Joseph Parker – next year, but first Joshua must stave off the threat of Wallin, who has lost just once against Tyson Fury on points.
The 34-year-old was a man of few words who was questioned on Tuesday night when he told Tersley he was 'just focused' on his trial ahead of the box office clash.
But fans were divided as video of the interview circulated on social media, with some highlighting the boxer's attitude.
Anthony Joshua cut a short figure when he was interviewed on Tuesday evening ahead of the 'Day of Reckoning'
Joshua previously clashed with one of the interviewees, Dev Sahni, at an earlier press conference
'What an absolute bell*** Anthony Joshua is!' One user commented. 'One of the biggest bell***s in the sport'.
Another agreed: 'He's trying so hard to be focused but it's the opposite, being focused is being yourself and he's doing what he thinks is focused according to the method.
'It's all hype without substance.'
A third continued: “It definitely feels like old AJ was all an act,” while one user suggested he was “just trying to play the bad boy.”
One even suggested, “Every fight gives us a different version of AJ. This is a strange phase.'
But others were more sympathetic to Joshua's short responses, with one user asking: 'The guy said he's in fighting mode, what more could you want lol'.
Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the clip as it quickly gained popularity
Another said: 'After watching the interview with Louis Theroux, I think AJ just can't be bothered to perform in front of the media anymore. The same media that says he's washed up.
“Go ahead AJ (hands up emoji).”
Some also suggested that the choice of one of the interviewers – Dev Sahni from Queensbury – may have played a role in his reluctance.
Sahni clashed with Joshua at the press conference announcing the blockbuster card in November after the interviewer tried to speculate on whether the Watford-born fighter would face Jarrell Miller.
In response to his questions, Joshua snapped back, “You are not my promoter to judge me on my career.”
Sahni then asked AJ about his upcoming fight, but the Brit was having none of it and urged Eddie Hearn to ask him the questions instead.
“Why doesn't Eddie ask me questions,” he said. 'You are my supervisor.'
But some users argued that the former world champion had every right to react the way he did
The 34-year-old will battle Otto Wallin on Saturday evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hearn then took over the questioning to end the awkward altercation.
When Sahni pressed Joshua again on Miller's question, who he was supposed to meet in June 2019 before a failed drug test from Big Baby instead met with Andy Ruiz Jr. enforced, AJ was blunt.
“He's a drug kingpin,” Joshua said, before adding that he had “absolutely no” intention of taking on the Brooklyn native.
“He and Dillian (Whyte) could put on a good fight,” he added, referring to his canceled fight with Whyte after also returning a negative finding.