Anthony Joshua reflects on the pressure he’s under and admits no amount of ‘money or sex’ could replicate the feeling of knocking someone out ahead of must-win clash with Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena
Anthony Joshua said there is no better feeling in the world than knocking your opponent out but went on to reveal how most boxers go through a post-fight lull.
Joshua will return to the ring on Saturday evening to face Jermaine Franklin after losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in August 2022.
AJ is looking to make a statement by knocking Franklin out at the O2 Arena – having not won a fight since his TKO victory over Kubrat Pulev in 2020.
Joshua described the feeling behind knocking someone out, claiming ‘no amount of money or sex could compare’.
Speaking ahead of his must-win fight in Saturday, Joshua said: ‘We put a lot of pressure on ourselves as fighters.
Anthony Joshua said there is no better feeling in the world than knocking your opponent out
Joshua, 33, will return to the ring on Saturday night to fight American Jermaine Franklin (right)
‘Hearing that final bell or hearing the ref count it out, honestly, it’s such a high feeling. No amount of money or sex could give you that kind of feeling. It’s true, nothing can give you that kind of feeling.’
However, Joshua went on to speak about the post-fight lull a lot of boxers experience and referenced his win over Pulev in 2020.
Joshua said: ‘I remember when I beat Pulev, I was just in a cab on the way home on my own. Life just goes on.
‘I built myself up for this massive event, thinking I’ve got to win and defend the title. Then it was just done. I was just driving home on my own.’
When asked what he will do after his fight with Franklin, AJ said: ‘There is only two things that can happen. One person will win and one person will lose.
‘So, let me put myself in the winning seat. I am going to try and maintain a standard. We build ourselves so high up to get ourselves into fighting condition, so many rounds of sparring, training and running.
‘I don’t want to dip too much. So I am going to try and maintain a standard. So I can go to higher heights and a tougher fight will be presented.’
When asked what he will do if he loses, AJ said: ‘I will retire if I lose. I’m not here to battle people. If people want me to retire I will retire.
AJ is looking to make a statement by knocking Franklin out at the O2 Arena – having not won a fight since his TKO victory over Kubrat Pulev in 2020
Joshua spoke about the post-fight lull he experienced following his Kubrat Pulev knock out
‘I’m not going to fight if people don’t want me too. It’s not even about the money. It’s about the competitor in you. That’s what’s important.’
AJ went on to discuss the pressure he is under. He said: ‘It comes with the business and it comes with the territory, I know that.’
Joshua went on to say: ‘I know when I am retired, I am gonna be chilling. I’m gonna be thinking f**k everyone. I am done.
‘You lot put so much pressure on me so when I am done, the chains are going to be gone. I am going to be laughing and loving life.’
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