ANTHONY JOSHUA has no intention of retiring after vowing to work harder than ever to salvage his career.
The 33-year-old, once British boxing’s golden boy, aims to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in his April Fool’s Day bout against 6ft 2in minnow Jermaine Franklin.
Anthony Joshua will face Jermaine Franklin on April 1
AJ insists that he has never been ‘more serious’ in his career
After last August’s second loss on points to Ukraine hero Usyk in Saudi Arabia, AJ had a meltdown and knew he had to make changes.
Now he claims he is more serious than at any other stage of his career ahead of the fight at London’s O2 Arena.
Under former coach Robert Garcia, Joshua previously refused to move his training camp to California.
But he now accepts a switch Stateside to prepare in Texas with new trainer Derrick James is a positive move in his quest to return to the top again.
When asked if he had thought of retiring, he replied: “Not really.”
But did the two-time world heavyweight champion ever have doubts following the double defeat to Usyk?
Joshua lost his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles in the first loss to the Ukrainian and will be looking for his first win since 2020 against Franklin, 29.
The 6ft 6in Watford boxer said: “I worked hard for that second Usyk fight but I have to work harder.
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“To be good is one thing, to be very good is another. I worked extremely hard. I had him praying in his corner. He was praying to God, that’s how much he wanted it.
“I have to work harder. That’s what Derrick does, he makes you work hard.
“Sacrifice is gaining, it’s so tough. I thought the other day, ‘Is he not seeing that I’m dying here?’.
“I realised I can’t feel sorry for myself because I think I’m going to get something out of me.”
Joshua’s preparations in Dallas are a far cry from his old bases of Sheffield and Loughborough.
He revealed: “I am not in Texas to have fun. I am a serious person. I am not there for anything else.
“One thing is for sure, though, throughout my career this is the most serious I have taken it, in terms of my food, sleep and training. I am not there to go out for coffee or talk bulls**t, I am there to f***ing work and get ready for a fight.”
So it is unlikely you will see the father-of-one falling out of nightclubs or into any of the other traps some sports stars fall prey to.
AJ admitted he had to cut back on his social life and big-money business pursuits to make sure he is taken seriously as a heavyweight challenger again.
He explained: “People ask where my head is at, is my head in the game? But I always go to the gym and get ready for a fight, all boxers do. The difference is I have to put my heart back in the game.
“I always wanted to build an empire so I would never have to look back at stupid decisions.
“But I made a conscious decision last year to get rid of those distractions and focus only on boxing — and I have definitely got that fire back again.”
Joshua’s critics will insist he has never been the same since the brutal stoppage defeat he suffered to Andy Ruiz in 2019.
There have always been rumours that he carried an injury or a concussion into that shock upset loss.
Joshua explained: “I still feel fresh and young. I am not war-torn.
“Looking at the first Andy Ruiz fight, giving no excuses, you could see from the ring walk that something wasn’t right but I have never spoken about it.
“If people want to live off that then they can live off that but watching them fights off the TV is different to stepping into the ring with me.
“I will do my part to put on a spectacular show for the viewers on April 1.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of boxing?
Boxing is associated with many health benefits. Boxing is good for building strong bones and muscles. Boxing can improve your coordination and reflexes. It can also help strengthen your heart muscle and lungs. The best part is that boxing doesn’t require any special equipment. You can use any item you have at home.
How can I learn boxing with only a partner?
If you’re looking for a partner to practice boxing, you can watch boxing matches on television. Or you can find an amateur boxing club near you. Regular training sessions are a common feature of amateur boxing clubs. These sessions often involve sparring partners who hit the pads together.
Punching bags are another option for practicing boxing. Before you hit the bag, make sure to wear protective gear like boxing gloves.
How long does it take to learn to box?
Boxing is the oldest known martial art. The first recorded boxing match was held in China around 2200 BC. For thousands of years, boxing has been practiced. Athletes and celebrities still love boxing. However, it takes around 10 to learn how to box.
Because boxing involves so many movements, it is slow to learn. Each movement requires specific muscles to perform properly. It takes time and effort to build these muscles.
You can learn how to move your body and then you can begin practicing any type boxing technique. Each technique will become easier over time.
Statistics
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
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How To
How to learn how to box for fitness
How to learn how to box for Exercise
You learn boxing to increase your physical fitness and self-confidence. Boxing is the most well-known sport in the world. It requires strength, speed, agility, stamina, coordination, balance, power and accuracy.
Boxing is an excellent way to lose weight and feel great about yourself. You will find that the activity is enjoyable and you want to continue doing it.
There are many options for boxing training. Some require you to train at home while others are done in gyms or health clubs. There are also online courses which allow you to study from anywhere in the world.
It is important to find a program that suits your needs and your lifestyle. The best programs include exercises designed to build muscle mass, increase flexibility, improve cardiovascular endurance, and enhance overall well-being.
Also, consider whether you prefer an advanced or beginner course. Basic techniques and drills are taught in beginner’s programs. These include shadowboxing and sparring, mittwork, and punching combinations. Advanced programs offer more variety and more complex movements.
Beginners’ programs generally last around eight weeks and cost less than $100. These programs do not provide guidance about nutrition, weight, injury prevention or any other aspect of boxing training.
Advanced programs usually last for six months and are around $300. They often include nutritional advice, stretching routines, warm-up exercises, and instruction on proper technique. In addition, some programs incorporate resistance training (such as lifting weights) and aerobic conditioning (such as running).
