Anthony Joshua releases new statement on his future amid calls from fans to retire from boxing
Anthony Joshua has reiterated that he will NOT retire following his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last weekend.
Joshua suffered a fifth-round defeat to Dubois as he failed to become a three-time world champion.
The defeat to the IBF world heavyweight champion snaps his four-fight winning streak, which included big wins over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
After the world title bout, there were calls for 'AJ' to call time on his legendary career.
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But Joshua insists he will not be hanging up the gloves and believes his career is 'far from over' in a defiant message.
"We came up short, but we've got to look at all the positives," he said in a video uploaded across his social media channels.
He added: "That's the mindset and that's the perspective we've got to have; a positive one always. Look at what we've achieved in the last 11 years, it's phenomenal and i want to thank every single one of you who has been riding with me.
"What a rollercoaster journey, but you know what the problem is, it's far from over yet. We've done it once, we've done it twice and doing it a third time hasn't been easy but it's something I can achieve, it's about making the right steps forward, working hard and improving.
"It's got to come from the heart more than anything. It can't come from any external voices or influences; it's got to come from the heart.
"It's only been a day but when I sit back and think, I know I've got a lot of heart. Thanks for your support, thanks for being on this rollercoaster journey with me. Keep your seatbelt tight because deep, deep, deep down in here I know we've got a lot more to bring to the game and long may it continue.
"British boxing, let's rise up together."
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) September 23, 2024
The 34-year-old appeared to be in line to face the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2.
But his defeat to Dubois has prevented a third meeting against Usyk or a blockbuster all-British showdown against Fury.
Joshua, however, has a rematch clause against Dubois, meaning a second fight is on the cards.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar