Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua: Luxury move doesn't interest AJ
Sunday 3 April 2016 20:10, UK
Anthony Joshua dismissed Eddie Hearn's recent encouragement to buy a countryside mansion and is happy to stay living in Golders Green in north London.
Joshua (15-0-KO15) has already boxed on several pay-per-view cards and, on April 9, headlines a huge Sky Sports Box Office event when he challenges for Charles Martin's IBF world heavyweight title at The O2.
But when asked how he responded to his promoter's urgings to invest in a luxury property, the 26-year-old told Sky Sports show Behind The Ropes: "I'm good where I am. Do you know why? Because I don't know any different. I wasn't raised in a big mansion so how am I going to buy a big mansion when I don't know any different?
"I'm content where I am. That's all I know. It's working so I'm not going to rush out and punch above my weight. I'm cool where I am and all I really need is a bed to sleep in. I'm in the gym training and just need somewhere to get my head down. That's enough for me.
"It's not so much for me. What I do now is for the family. I'm grafting, grafting. I just need to rest my head and get down the gym. I don't need too much luxury right now.
I'm cool where I am and all I really need is a bed to sleep in. I'm in the gym training and just need somewhere to get my head down.
"I'm in the gym all the time. I'm not going to charity events or clubbing. I'm not out much so I don't see the benefits of the publicity of what I'm doing. All that matters is what I'm doing in the gym.
"This is not a popularity contest. This is fighting. I've got to win. As long as I'm winning, people are going to keep on watching. I leave the popularity thing down to the PR people. You've got to have the focused mentality.
"I'm not in a rush to be travelling the world. Charles Martin coming over here is class. There are big stadiums here and an unbelievable fanbase so I don't see why we have to go overseas to fight.
Behind the Ropes: Anthony Joshua
"I think it's unbelievable he wants to come here and fight me so I'll enjoy it while it lasts."
On the undercard of the IBF world heavyweight title clash between Martin and Joshua is George Groves facing an unbeaten David Brophy, Lee Selby's IBF world featherweight title defence against Eric Hunter and much more.
Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9, is available to order via online.
