It is hard to argue that former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is at a career cross-roads. Despite his status as a two time world unified champion, Joshua has lost three of his last five fights including back to back defeats Oleksandr Usyk, seen an all British showdown with Tyson Fury slip away along with any chance to return to action before 2023 fall by the way-side. However, Joshua has always stated that his boxing career his complicated due to distractions outside the ring.
“I was supposed to be in the ring this year. I'm going to be in the ring next year. I'll be in the ring when I'm in the ring. I don't want to make any statements today and get held to the cross by it,” Joshua said in an interview on DAZN during the broadcast of the card headlined by Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto Ramirez.
“So when I'm ready, I'll get back in the ring. You know what it is? I ain't champion and it's just hurting a lot. I'm in the gym rebuilding and restructuring everything I got to do inside and outside of the ring. There's a lot that goes on outside of the ring in my life which makes my ring life complicated. So I just need to simplify a lot of stuff outside of the ring and then just put my full attention in the ring, really. Once I have that done, next year I'll be ready.”
Before the Usyk sequel, Joshua split from long-time trainer Robert McCracken and handed coaching duties to Robert Garcia.
“My life is complicated. Boxing has become a bit complicated for me. Everyone is just trying to make the most of this time while I'm boxing and they are doing a good job. But it does affect my ring activity as well,” said Joshua. “So I just always trying to push all of that stuff away. It's a challenge. I'm just trying to get it out of the way this year so that next year I feel more focused.”
