Mike Tyson has weighed in with some advice for Anthony Joshua ahead of his return to the ring in just over a month’s time.
Joshua will take on Jermaine Franklin at the 02 Arena on April 1st, as he looks to rebuild from back to back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
In an interview with ID Boxing, Tyson was full of praise for ‘AJ’, and implored him to be as active as possible to become the best again.
“He has a lot of talent, and shouldn’t get discouraged. He only loses when he quits. When you quit, all the doors of opportunities close.”
“Don’t get discouraged when you lose. You just made 30 million dollars! Don’t internalise it.”
“The more you lay off, the worse you get. To be the best, you have to fight constantly and do it more and more.”
The Franklin fight is seen as make or break for the career of Joshua, with many pundits of the belief that defeat would spell the end to any aspirations of becoming a three time heavyweight world champion.
It will be the Brit’s first outing under new trainer Derrick James, and many fans are hopeful the fresh link up could bring a return of the aggression and spitefulness that brought Joshua so much success in his earlier career.
A familiar face to UK fans after his impressive showing against Dillian Whyte last November, Franklin has always maintained he was hard done by that night and will have all the confidence of upsetting the apple cart at the 02 on April 1st.
A big stadium rematch for Joshua against old foe Whyte looks set for the summer, provided he gets past “The 989 Assassin.”