The current IBF, IBO and WBA (Super) world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua (20-0) has shared he is beginning to understand the importance of his position as a sporting role model in an exclusive with Sky Sports.
Regarding his position at the forefront of the sporting world. Joshua told Sky Sports News: “I do understand now, I have to play the game if I want to create a legacy.”
“I think I understand now, everything I have to gain and everything I have to lose.”
“Before I was happy to just be a part of boxing, and felt wherever I get to, it was always better than where I started.
“I never had a minute to reflect.”
Additionally, Joshua shared its now his intention to become a pivotal figure in his era of sports, similarly to the tennis player, Roger Federer.
“But now I want to stamp my mark and my legacy, and be among the likes of Federer.”
“If I want to be considered like these guys, I have to carry myself the right way.”
“I want to be like the Ronaldos, Messis, Federers who compete with Nadal, Murray. That’s where I want to take boxing;” Joshua added.
Good to see you @ThierryHenry ⚽️ P.s. There's a seat for you at the Christmas table 🎄 pic.twitter.com/G4xrDCQofm
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 28, 2017
Joshua also touched on his other heavyweight rivals, “There’s a lot of clowns in my industry, jealousy and negativity. I swerve them.”
The 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, said of Fury: “It is a fight I would like to see but the ball’s in his court – he has to get fit.
“When he’s ready, we’ll open the doors, and if he walks through, we’ll welcome him.”
“The situation with Parker, we have presented an offer to them, and we’ll patiently wait,” said Joshua.
“Nothing’s been agreed and it’s the same situation with Tyson Fury.
Reach for all that’s possible! @visitdubai#AJBXNGpic.twitter.com/1mHFNetXGy
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) November 22, 2017
Potential world heavyweight title unification bouts have been mooted for Joshua. The potential opponents include American Deontay Wilder and New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.
Of those potential opponents, Joshua shared: “I want to be the undisputed champion of the world, and to do that I must fight Wilder and Parker.”
“With Wilder – who said I’m running scared – the same situation, and we’ve been talking with his team.”
“We staged a fight with one of the all-time greats, Wladimir Klitschko, and staged a fantastic fight at Wembley, where we put our egos and demands to one side.”
“But I just don’t know where Parker and Wilder’s mindsets are and what they want. I just think they have poor PR management,” ‘AJ’ concluded.
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