“Lot Riding on My Fights”: Frustrated With Media, Anthony Joshua Makes Brutal Confessions About Staying Focused Ahead of Fight

In less than 24 hours, Anthony Joshua will enter the ring against Otto Wallin. He hasn’t fought for a third time in a year since 2016. It goes a long way toward showing how serious he is about regaining his lost glory and crown. Joshua has been without a title since 2021 when he lost the unification belts to Oleksandr Usyk. Just so he is ready for the big fights next year, Anthony Joshua followed a systematic plan this year.

Starting with Jermaine Franklin in April, it saw AJ go against Robert Helenius four months later. Now, on December 23, he squares up against the Swede, who took Tyson Fury the whole distance back two years ago. However, to be able to score a third consecutive and emphatic win, Joshua needs to channel all his focus and energy. But as easy as it appears, in light of the incessant media attention over his career, opponents, the event in Riyadh, and many more issues, he is seemingly finding it a daunting task to remain focused. Speaking with eminent sports journalist Steve Bunce, ‘AJ’ revealed what was going on in his mind with the big fight approaching.

Let’s connect casually; no interviews, please: Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua was fairly clear. He told Steve Bunce that he would rather chat with him than have an interview with him. The celebrated writer acknowledged it. Joshua, though, clarified, “Not you… the interview; I’ll chat to you, but I need to focus, Steve… You know there’s a lot riding on my fights. I’am very professional, and I want to win. And as I said, like, even talking about future opponents, just general conversation, takes my mind off (of course it does)…where I’m trying to get to like and I’am…It’s not f**ked off; I’am just really zoned in.”

Agreeing, Steve Bunce shared how boxers of earlier eras rarely followed such a pattern, especially before fight day. Then the Watford-born heavyweight explained how the reach of the media had become so extensive. He said, “But that’s what I’am saying; you look at it, and you see right. It’s nuts, it’s nuts. Obviously, the whole world is changing now: Media! Media! Media! Fast Media! We want out now. We went out yesterday. But there is only so much a man can do.”

Finally, a visibly exasperated Joshua confessed that a person could extend himself only up to a limit. The only objective that he attests to is fighting. He barely has any knowledge about where all the other things get thrown at him. Whatever is said and done, at the end of the day, he needs to focus.

The road ahead for ‘AJ’

Initially, there was talk of a fight with Deontay Wilder, but with the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk super fight pushed off to February, a new schedule took over. Instead of going against each other, ‘AJ’ and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ would be fighting different opponents. As with Joshua-Wallin, Wilder would go against Joseph Parker. However, there remains a big chance of both former heavyweight champions finally entering the ring at opposing corners. But then there are also rumors of Anthony Joshua chasing a third-world title dream once he becomes the IBF mandatory challenger. Anyway, come whatever the combination, 2024 is sure to be an exciting one for heavyweight fans.

Read More: Anthony Joshua Disappoints Derrick James, Set to Fight on December 23rd Under Tyson Fury’s Former Trainer

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