‘I don’t understand why he’s fighting’: Carl Froch takes a jab at Anthony Joshua because he doubts the Brit has the ambition to become heavyweight champion again… and claims that money ‘cannot be the motivation when you you’ve earned it.” £100 million
- Anthony Joshua delivered a winning performance against Jermaine Franklin
- Claimed first in-ring win since 2020 but was accused of being unconvincing
- Carl Froch questioned the fighter’s motivation and offered him a warning
Carl Froch has questioned Anthony Joshua’s motivation to continue boxing, questioning whether he has it within himself to climb back to the top of the heavyweight division.
Joshua put in a mixed performance against Jermaine Franklin at the O2 on Saturday night, landing some notable singles and combo punches amid a series of unconvincing rounds that left observers wanting more.
Not needing to do much against a limited, if energetic, opponent, Joshua clinched the win via unanimous points decision.
However, speaking on BBC Radio 5Live after the fight, Froch appeared to criticize Joshua, asking if the money was enough to keep him motivated and stating that he saw nothing in his performance that hinted at a return to his former heights.
‘In the ring at the world title level he’s been there, he’s done the business. And now I don’t know. What motivates you?’ she asked.
Anthony Joshua’s motivation to reach the top once again has been called into question by Carl Froch
Joshua put in a mixed performance to beat American Jermaine Franklin via unanimous decision
Froch said that money could no longer be his main motivating factor after having done so much
We talked about it, he wants the money. I don’t understand why he is fighting. It’s just not a dangerous sport. Money can’t be the motivation when you’ve earned more than £100 million.
He added: “I haven’t seen anything in that performance that wants to be world champion again.”
The British fighter is a two-time world heavyweight champion of the world, most recently beating Andy Ruiz in the Middle East in 2019 to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO belts.
Since then, he has been beaten twice in successive fights by the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua raised eyebrows in the build-up to his fight with Franklin when he openly admitted that money was his main motivating factor at present, seemingly nullifying the reclaiming of their world heavyweight belts.
“Right at this moment, money is the first thing that comes to mind,” he said. ‘Money is part of a big puzzle.
‘The reason I say ‘money’ is because I know how much it helps people. That is my love language; I can’t be there for you emotionally, I can’t be there physically, because I’m working, but I can send you some money!
‘I’m not going to be there as a shoulder to cry on, because I don’t really have the energy or the time for that; I’m trying to train and become a champion.’
Dillian Whyte echoed Froch’s sentiments, insisting that Joshua should stop if his heart isn’t in it anymore.
“Joshua has lost all his aggressiveness and killer instincts. The skill is still there, the boxing is still there, it looks good,” he said.
Joshua didn’t put in the kind of performance many expected, including himself apparently, as he berated his inability to knock out his opponent.
“But every time Franklin looked like he was going to hit him, he hesitated. He’s never seen him like this, he’s a little shocked. The last few rounds, Joshua was very indecisive.
‘Signs of a fighter who no longer wants to do it. If he doesn’t want to do it anymore, I think he should stop.’
However, Joshua gave no sign that he was considering hanging up his gloves one last time after the fight, using his interviews with various broadcasters to call out Tyson Fury as speculation mounts about a possible British clash later in the match. anus.
‘I try to provide for the fans. I know who they want. They said Tyson Fury; the ball is in their court,’ he said. “It would be an honor to fight for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship. If you’re listening, you know my promoter; we’ve had dialogue before, so let’s continue this. We are not getting any younger.