Anthony Joshua claims he ‘never got that respect’ when he was punching his way through the heavyweight division before becoming champion… as he prepares to try and regain his belts against Oleksandr Usyk next month
- Anthony Joshua says he didn’t get respect on way to becoming world champion
- He lost WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles after loss to Oleksandr Usyk
- Joshua will seek to regain the titles when he takes on the Ukrainian next month
Anthony Joshua has claimed he never got the respect he deserves during his come up to becoming a world heavyweight champion.
The Brit lost the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles following the defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last September.
Many felt Joshua was too passive and failed to fight to his natural strengths of size and power during the first bout.
Anthony Joshua says he didn’t get respect during his come up to becoming world champion
When told that fans are hoping to see him fight like his old self during a conversation with JD Sports, Joshua replied: ‘But I feel like I never got that respect.
‘Let’s keep it 100, let me be real with you.’
Asked whether he thought people assumed he would always knockout his opponent, Joshua answered: ‘Nah, that’s wrong.
‘When I came into this division, it was whack.
‘I thought, “Alright, you know what? I’m gonna come in this game and take on everyone and anyone.”
Many people have claimed Joshua did not fight to his strengths when he lost to Oleksandr Usyk
‘It doesn’t matter who, I can only beat what’s in front of me, but I’ve gotta make sure that they’re top.
‘Maybe it’s because I’m British that none of these lot are respecting my thing.
‘I said, “Alright, you know what? I’m gonna bring the heavyweight division to Great Britain, I’mma show people we are solid.”
‘Because I think people think we drink tea and eat biscuits and sit with the Queen.
The 32-year-old went on to suggest that he will vacate the heavyweight titles if he becomes a three-time heavyweight champion when he meets Usyk again at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia on August 20
Joshua will meet Usyk again at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia on August 20
‘I feel like I’m not getting looked at as someone who is a dominant heavyweight in the division,’ he said.
‘This big Anthony Joshua goes and wins, becomes three-time, I’mma dash these belts.
‘Because you’ve gotta learn to respect me as a person. Quote that.
‘I’m tired, I don’t want to be respected because of the belts I hold.
‘I wanna be respected because of the man you see.’
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