Anthony Joshua has put ‘heart back into boxing; Heavyweight Anthony Joshua says. He has put his heart back into boxing as he prepares to face Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena on April 1.
The 33-year-old Brit is looking for his first win since 2020 after losing in straight sets to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua said he is more serious than ever about his boxing career.
“I’ve always tried to build an empire. But last year I made a conscious decision to put my heart into boxing. Nothing else,” he said. “Joshua was join by new trainer Derrick James. But both men flew from Texas to London to attend the press conference.
The two-time world heavyweight champion is fighting at the O2 Arena for the first time since 2016. Not for the world title in eight years.
Since his last fight at the O2, where he fought seven times. Joshua has fought most of his fights in the main outdoor arenas.
The 29-year-old American Franklin is clearly at the bottom. Just like when he lost to Dillian Whyte on points last December.
But Usyk’s two depressing losses put Joshua at a crossroads in his career.
“Everything I’ve been through — positive and negative — I’m cooking in my camp now,” he said.
Franklin is an opponent many believe is below Joshua – but he was brought in to boost the Brit’s confidence.
Joshua won his first world title in 2016 at the O2 Arena. After seven years and 11 World Cup fights, he returns a changed man.
Anthony Joshua has put ‘heart back into boxing; The aura of the ferocious finish was slowly erod by the defeat of Andy Ruiz and Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua should win. Promoter Eddie Hearn called the April contest “perhaps the most important chapter” for his star man.
The Watford fighter stopped the promising fireworks and muttered in exasperation until called upon by Hearn.
When asked about his motivation, he said “money, money, money. But also said that he had got rid of “distractions” in the past year. “didn’t feel pressure” before the final meeting.
A win over Franklin might not tell you anything new about the fighter. Who sparked almost one-sided interest in British boxing, but it could signal whether the old Joshua, once an unstoppable freight train, can make a comeback.
