Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua has said he would retire from professional boxing if he loses to American boxer Jermaine Franklin in April.
Anthony Joshua has not hit the ring for a bout after his back-to-back defeats to the reigning WBO, WBA, and IBF champion from Ukraine, Oleksandr Usyk in 2022.
Joshua vs Franklin which will take place at the O2 Arena in London, a venue where Joshua has enjoyed 7 victories, is believed to be a game-changer for the British boxer. He is expected to use the 12-round heavyweight bout to stage a strong comeback into the heavyweight category.
Ahead of the main event which is expected to commence at around 10:30 (UK time), Joshua made it clear that the bout could make or mar his boxing career.
“I will retire if I lose”, Anthony Joshua said on Tuesday, less than five days to the bout.
“I’m not here to battle people. If people want me to retire I will retire. I’m not going to fight if people don’t want me to.
“It’s not even about the money. It’s about the competitor in you. That’s what’s important.”
On the other hand, Anthony Joshua noted that the bout would be an opportunity for Jermaine Franklin to make a name for himself in the heavyweight category.
The British boxer acknowledged how the American boxer has developed a “six-pack” while preparing to face him on Saturday.
Joshua added, “You’ve got Jermaine Franklin here, who is about 28 pounds lighter than he was against Dillian Whyte’s fight.
He’s now got a six-pack and this is what happens when you’re fighting Anthony Joshua. It’s a chance for him [Franklin] to catapult himself into the world of the heavyweight division.”
