Joshua to Retire If He Loses to Jermaine Franklin
Anthony Joshua, the former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, is set to headline at the O2 Arena this Saturday against Jermaine Franklin. He is making his return to the ring after successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. Ahead of his return, Joshua made a shocking revelation, stating that he will retire from boxing if he loses a third successive bout.
Joshua confirmed that he believes the competitor in him is vital, and if people want him to retire, he will do so. He understands that pressure comes with the territory in the boxing business, but he is well-used to it. He has provided an enormous amount of entertainment since turning pro but has suffered setbacks in recent years.
Lawrence Okolie, who has sparred with Joshua in preparation for fights several times in his career, expects him to handle pressure against Franklin. Despite all his struggles, Joshua still remains one of the biggest names in boxing.
Joshua Links Up with New Trainer Derrick James for Franklin Fight
With hopes of resurrecting his career, Joshua sought out new trainer Derrick James ahead of his fight against Franklin. He had struggled with back-to-back defeats againts Usyk and failed to click with Robert Garcia.
According to reports, Joshua spent the last few months preparing for this comeback fight with James in Texas. Speaking about their relationship, Joshua revealed that he had enjoyed his first camp with James and believes he has already learned a lot from him. He respects James fully and trusts everything that he has been saying. Joshua also revealed that Derrick’s knowledge is highly appreciated, considering him as one of the best people he’s talked to about boxing.
Previously, Joshua had spent most of his boxing career training at Rob McCracken’s megagym. Now he works out of a much smaller facility, and he is loving it. Joshua believes that working with James can help him get back to his winning ways.
Joshua’s Boxing Career and Upcoming Fight against Franklin
Joshua has struggled to showcase his talent in the ring in recent years. He lost to Andy Ruiz Jr., and most recently, he lost to Oleksandr Usyk. However, Joshua remains one of the most physically talented boxers on the scene today, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing roughly 245 pounds, with an impressive punch.
The heavyweight division is full of talent, including Fury, Usyk, Wilder, and Joe Joyce. Fury attacks aggressively, while Wilder is an all-out blitz attacker who loves a good battle.
If Joshua can get by Jermaine Franklin this weekend, he could be working towards much bigger fights with Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Dillian Whyte. However, the stakes for this upcoming fight are high for Joshua since he has admitted that retirement could be calling if he loses.
Regardless of the outcome of the fight against Franklin, Joshua should not feel like a failure if he gives a full effort. He remains a crucial figure in boxing despite his setbacks.
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson expects Joshua to beat Franklin but insists retirement seems like a necessary option if he fails to do so since climbing back up after three consecutive defeats won’t be easy. The future of this boxing legend will be determined this weekend as Anthony Joshua steps into the ring against Jermaine Franklin.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
