Sport

Anthony Joshua has insisted he is getting his career on the right track ahead of his huge domestic showdown with Dillian Whyte next month.

Anthony Joshua has insisted he is getting his career on the right track ahead of his huge domestic showdown with Dillian Whyte next month.

The 33-year-old is looking to rebuild after successive losses against Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. He returned to winning ways by outpointing Jermaine Franklin in April, but delivered a lacklustre performance that drew criticism from fans and pundits.

That fight was his first under new trainer Derrick James after Joshua decided to move away from home comforts to team up with the American in Texas.

Having failed to shine against Franklin, questions have been raised about whether the change in environment has benefitted Joshua.

The two-time world champion is happy with his current set-up, though, and feels he is doing everything right to get back to the top of the heavyweight division.

Anthony Joshua (left) believes his decision to team up with Derrick James (right) will pay off

Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin in April but failed to dazzle against his American opponent

‘What’s beautiful about sports is there’s always a next opportunity to prove yourself, so no matter what happens, there’s a process that I’m following and I just know that if we look at history, everything will work out for me,’ he said.

‘I’ve just got to ride the wave, stay consistent, stay focused and when the opportunity presents itself… everyone can write you off, but if you believe in yourself and you continue on your journey, 100 per cent you will overcome.

‘Only you can defeat yourself. Not anyone else.’

Joshua claimed he would retire if he lost to Franklin, but he now appears to have no plans to hang his gloves up any time soon.

After making a name for himself as a knockout artist in the early stages of his professional career, Joshua has now gone almost three years without a stoppage win.

There are doubts about whether Joshua still has the spitefulness in him that saw him dominate boxing’s blue-riband division, but he believes he should not be written off just yet.

‘If I give up and I’m like, “Yeah, I haven’t got it anymore”, then you can say I’m not the same fighter. But I just know this is going to work,’ he continued.

‘People look at you like you’re crazy, which people probably think now, (asking) “why is he not being aggressive?” I just know what I’m doing is going to work at the right time.’

Joshua’s next test will come against fellow Brit Whyte at a sold-out O2 Arena on August 12.

Their first meeting in the professional ranks came eight years ago, with Joshua knocking Whyte out with a vicious uppercut in the seventh round.

Joshua is set to face Dillian Whyte in a rematch of their exciting first fight in 2015

Joshua is unsure whether Whyte has improved since, and has questioned why his rival has changed trainers so regularly in recent years, but admits it will not be an easy night’s work in the capital.

‘What Dillian lacks in certain areas, he makes up for in others. Has he improved? I don’t think he’s improved massively but he’s maintained his standard,’ Joshua concluded.

‘Look how many times he’s moved trainers. He’s moved trainers so many times. Maybe he’s not developing at the rate he needs to, or people aren’t teaching him the things he needs to learn and it’s not good enough. He probably knows it himself.

‘That’s probably why he’s moved trainers so much. I was thinking about this the other day. He was with Okoh, Tibbs, Xavier, Buddy McGirt, Johnathon Banks, but one thing that he has got is the fight and in America they call it the dog. He’s got the dog in him.’

Related Posts

Angel Reese’s remarks about Caitlin Clark’s possible new teammate in the WNBA draft carry significant weight.

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has been a long-time advocate of potential WNBA Draft pick Aneesah Morrow – who could soon be team-mates with Caitlin Clark WNBA star Angel…

Venus Williams channels her inner superheroine at the Miami Open with glittering Wonder Woman face mask

She is a tennis superstar.   But Venus Williams channeled an actual super hero as she faced off against Zarina Diyas in the Miami Open on Tuesday.   Venus, 40,…

Fans are amazed by the height of Russell Wilson and Ciara’s youngest son.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara’s littlest boy is not so little anymore. The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered their first loss with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback against the Cleveland Browns in…

La verdad sobre la tira nasal que utilizó Carlos Alcaraz en las ATP Finals

El español presentó un resfriado que lo dejó casi en duda para el duelo con Rublev, pero jugó con una tira nasal. La explicación de los expertos.  …

“God blessed me with Oracene to bring Venus Williams down, she saved tennis” – When American’s father Richard felt tennis was stuck in the ‘Dark Ages’

Richard Williams once expressed his admiration for his daughter Venus Williams, calling her a “blessing” to him and his ex-wife, Oracene Price. He credited Venus with “saving tennis,”…

Ciara expresses a sincere message for Russell Wilson following the Steelers quarterback’s first defeat against the Cleveland Browns.

Russell Wilson was disheartened by the Steelers‘ loss to the Cleveland Browns! But, nonetheless, the star QB is winning at life. And, his source of strength amidst the ups and downs…