‘Fuck ’em all’: Anthony Joshua slams boxing legends who ‘lost respect’ for the Brit when he lost his world heavyweight titles… as AJ issues a profanity-laden response to months of criticism
- The boxer has suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in the last two fights.
- Joshua admitted that he is done trying to earn the respect of his boxing idols.
- The 33-year-old returns to the ring in April against Jermaine Franklin.
Anthony Joshua has admitted he is done trying to earn the respect and admiration of his boxing idols after launching an expletive-laden response to recent criticism.
The Watford-born fighter suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and saw the boxing world turn against him for his performances.
Joshua returns to the ring for the first time since he lost his WBA, WBO and IBF belts and was unable to win them back when he faces Jermaine Franklin on April 1.
The 33-year-old has claimed he is doing it for himself and not to impress any of his boxing idols, who turned their backs on him.
Speaking of his losses, Joshua said talk sport: “It was a hard pill to swallow, and now I’m in a place where it’s like, ‘fuck y’all, I’m doing this shit myself.’
Anthony Joshua issued an expletive-laden response to months of criticism ahead of the next fight
The boxer admitted that he feels his boxing idols have lost respect for him in recent months.
“I’m not going to go through that shit anymore where I’m pushing, ‘I’m going to do this, and I’m going to do that.’
“I love this industry, I respect boxing a lot, because I do it and I know what it takes.
“And it’s crazy to think that a lot of the legends that I look up to and the people that I look up to are doing podcasts now, and I can go online and hear what they have to say.
“I used to do a lot to try to get respect and admiration from people I look up to, and you’re chasing that.
“And when I lost the belts, I felt like the admiration and respect of the legends of the game had gone with those belts.”
AJ also insisted that he is now doing what will make him happy instead of trying to appease the majority.
“This is what I’m saying, you can’t look for it (respect),” he said.
‘Now you have to be happy and content with yourself, and that’s what I’m going for now, what’s my advice? What is going to make me happy?
Joshua went down defeating Oleksandr Usyk in back-to-back bouts to lose his heavyweight titles
The 33-year-old returns to the ring next month against Jermaine Franklin in London.
“Someday I’m going to be a retired fighter, so I have to put myself in a position where I can’t keep looking for admiration from others, because sooner or later, I’m not going to go.” be in that position, because I’m not going to be a fighter anymore.
‘And I think if I keep looking for that, it drives us crazy, so what I have to do is find out what makes me happy, what’s in my soul. What’s in my core?
Joshua lost a unanimous decision defeat to Usky for the first time in September 2021 and triggered a rematch clause after the loss.
However, the Englishman was unable to regain his titles in the second clash after a split decision victory for Usyk once again.
Joshua then launched into a bizarre post-fight speech as he was mocked by the boxing community for his antics, drawing even more criticism months later.
He will now fight on his own against Franklin as Joshua looks to bounce back after Usky’s losses.