Anthony Joshua reacts to fans demanding his retirement if he loses to Jermaine Franklin

Anthony Joshua has reacted to fans saying he should retire if he lose his upcoming fight against top American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin on April 1st.

While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Joshua reacted jokingly to the speculation of him retiring if he faces a third loss in a row after two losses against Oleksandr Usyk, he said:

“I will, I’ll retire (laughs). If you’ve got that competitive spirit, so what if you lose a game of monopoly, you gonna give up? Every fight is a new chapter I feel like, and every chapter is so important.

When asked about the constant scrutiny he faces from critics on the boxing scene, he said:

“Do you know what it is, it comes with the business, it comes with the territory and when i am retired I’m gonna be chilling, f**k everyone, I’m done. ‘Cuz it’s like you lot put so much pressure on me, when I’m done it’s gonna be like the chains are gone, I’m gonna be laughing like I made it out." [8:35 onwards]

Check out the full interview below:

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Anthony Joshua says Tyson Fury ‘needs him’

Anthony Joshua says the highly anticipated clash against Tyson Fury could happen this summer, and that ‘The Gypsy King’ needs him for the big fight.

Joshua spoke to the press ahead of his fight against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday and said this about Tyson Fury.

“There is no better time [for me to face Tyson Fury]. 'Provided the Usyk fight doesn't happen and he [Fury] doesn't fight anyone in between, he needs me at the minute. I've got to fight like I am leaning towards a championship fight. The current champions need to look at me and think he's a serious contender coming up. So that's how that feels now.”

A fight between the two top British heavyweights fell through last December due to contractual disputes. But if Joshua can emerge victorious on Saturday against Franklin, it might set up the biggest fight in British boxing history for the summer of 2023.

Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin is set to take place on April 1st at the 02 Arena, Live on DAZN.