After the end of the boxing evening in Abu Dhabi Bivol – Ramirez, the former unified heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) Briton Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) gave
interview for Michelle Jo Phelps.
The ex-champion told why he came to Abu Dhabi, commented on his psychological state after the defeat to the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, spoke about the reasons for the failure of a potential fight against the WBC champion British Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) and the organization of the fight against the ex- US champion Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs).
Why did you come to Abu Dhabi? Are you here to discuss potential fights?
– Yes. Boxing has become a business. But this is a blessing. I like business things.
“I want to ask you how you are now psychologically, because you were kind of talking about how you are now fighting some demons?” How are you?
– Good. I’m just very busy right now. I have many things that I am interested in. I always think about my future. So even as a fighter, whether people understand it or not… Until you get past it, you probably won’t understand. Our careers are short. I won’t continue until age 65. I always try to plan what I will do after. Especially in this generation, where today I am here and tomorrow I am there. I just make sure I’m involved in everything. It is difficult to try to be an athlete of the highest rank. But I also try to make sure I make good decisions outside the ring. You might say why focus on things outside the ring when everything can be done inside the ring and be successful, but…
No, there has to be a balance.
– Many athletes before me made more mistakes than we did. So I always think how in my position I can be bulletproof when it comes to business. So I wanted to make sure I did the right thing by waiting. It took a lot of mental strength and a lot of time to make the right decision. And I also make a lot of good connections.
- Fury – Usyk and Joshua’s plans – commented by Eddie Hearn
– After the rematch (with Usyk). I haven’t seen you so emotional before. You can somehow comment on this. What then came to your mind?
It’s the human side. I could have fought better, but I didn’t. It’s just the way it is. It’s just the human side of being competitive.
— I interviewed Tyson Fury. I don’t know what the hell was going on there, but there were a lot of arrows pointing at you. You guys didn’t get things done fast enough, he didn’t let me give you more time… All I know is that the martial arts fans who have bet money on you, on your careers, have suffered the most. We can’t see big fights and I don’t know why. From your point of view, what happened?
Whatever he says is true… [прерывается на фото с Геннадием Машьяновым]
So what you’re saying is true.
– It’s all true. Everything he said, everything I said. It’s all. It just resulted in the fight not happening. It’s not that it’s just fluff. We couldn’t meet deadlines. Now he is fighting with the one who could conclude the contract faster, and he is happy with the opponent. That’s the simplicity of the situation, you know?
— Wilder. We couldn’t see this fight years ago. Are you guys sure you can organize this fight?
What did he call it now? Renaissance. What did he say there, he has 3 years? And he wants to tick off each one on his list. Now this fight will take place. Now he is more than ready.
— In 2023?
– Why not.
- I want to look at Joshua’s roadmap after Usyk’s two losses – expert
