Anthony Joshua Not Considering Retirement, Even If He Loses

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has made it clear he will not be considering retirement in the event he loses on Saturday night in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua, 32-years-old, suffered the second loss of his career last September, when he was out boxed by Usyk over twelve rounds to capture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight belts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The rematch will take place in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua’s first defeat occurred when he was dropped four times and stopped by Andy Ruiz back in 2019. However, the British fighter regained his straps with a dominant twelve round unanimous decision in the rematch six months later, which also took place in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua was the favorite of the first matchup between him and Usyk, however, he is not widely seen as the underdog.

Usyk is viewed as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, which is why Joshua does not think it reasonable to consider retirement as a result of this fight.

“I’m competing with a pound-for-pound fighter,” Joshua told AFP.

“I’m not losing against some has-been. It’s crazy to suggest I should retire. If I would lose to one of the top fighters of the world today [people would say] ‘Oh he should retire, he lost to one of the best’. What type of nonsense is that?

“If people really want me to walk away, then cool. I ain’t begging no one. People always ask questions and they’re entitled to their questions. For me personally, I still want to compete. I love it. It’s challenging, but I love the challenge. Sometimes I question whether I want to do it, it’s that hard. It’s not an easy job but I’ve got the will, I’ve got the strength to keep on pushing.”