On the pressures of trying to become a three-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua admits "maybe I should stop if I can't deal with it"; on a possible all-British clash with Tyson Fury, AJ says: "It's a challenge, and one I'd be up for"
Wednesday 8 November 2023 09:01, UK
Anthony Joshua talked of his regret at his post-fight outburst following his heavyweight title loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch last year.
Joshua threw Usyk's world title belts out of the ring following his defeat in August 2022 and then launched into a remarkable speech in the aftermath of his split decision loss to Usyk in Jeddah.
Reflecting on the incident as part of an interview with Louis Theroux aired on the BBC on Tuesday night, Joshua said: "That was an ego and pride thing coming out.
"I brought this heavyweight division back - that was in me. Right or wrong, probably wrong...
"So I threw them [the belts] because that's what I felt like. I grabbed the mic, I addressed the crowd. Could I have done it better? Of course I could have.
"I had finished a 12-round fight. I felt frustrated and annoyed. I knew I was out of the title race."
Joshua also spoke of how he views the sport differently compared to when climbing the ranks as a professional after winning Olympic Gold at London 2012.
On the pressure of trying to become a three-time heavyweight champion, Joshua said "it's too much" and that "maybe I should stop if I can't deal with it".
"People create this narrative and put pressure on me," he said. "Gone are the days where it was for the fun. When you're just doing it for the passion, you're a prospect."
He added: "This is all I know, this is what I dedicate my life to.
"Do I want to get myself to the championship? I would love to. Am I going to be smart in how I get there? Yes. Do I know more about boxing than I used to? 100 per cent. Am I still trying to improve as a boxer? Yes...
"From where I began, to going on to achieving, it's never enough.
"All this 'can he be three-time champion of the world?' It's too much. Maybe I should stop if I can't deal with it."
Joshua's last fight was a seventh-round knockout win over Robert Helenius in August. As for his next opponent, he reiterated his desire to face WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in an all-British affair.
Asked how he'd feel to fight and beat Fury, Joshua replied, "I'd be over the moon" before adding: "It's a challenge, and one I'd be up for."
Watch Adam Azim challenge Franck Petitjean for the European super-lightweight title and Tyler Denny take on Matteo Signani for the European middleweight belt, live on Sky Sports Arena on Saturday November 18.
