Anthony Joshua has admitted he deserved the criticism from UK fans which came with losing his two fights with Oleksandr Usyk for the unified heavyweight titles.
The Brit was a favourite when he faced former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk in their first meeting back in September of 2021, but slumped to a decision loss on every scorecard. He improved things under Robert Garcia for their rematch a year later, but still couldn't do enough to retain the belts and has now changed teams once again.
And Joshua, a two-time unified heavyweight champion, has admitted that the critiques he faced from the British public, which have translated into weaker ticket sales for his comeback on Saturday night, were warranted. He has made a number of changes for his return, and is keen to show off his improvements with an emphatic win over Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena.
“I think that they’ve supported me for a long time," Joshua told Boxing Social this week of the British public. "And as their champion they expect more from me. As someone who fights with that flag on my back they expect more from me so yeah, I let a few people down so I deserve the stick I get as well.”
Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn believe that a big win this weekend could set him up for a super-fight this summer with Tyson Fury, with the main points of their doomed deal from last year still valid in many eyes. However, he must first get through Franklin, who only lost his unbeaten record to Dillian Whyte last November by way of a very controversial decision.
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"I always expect higher from myself," Joshua explained. "In terms of Usyk, I was in with a really good operator, I definitely relish the opportunity to fight him again. I'm done with undisputed, that's a whole headache I just want to get my hands on one of the titles. Why do people not regard the IBO heavyweight championship as a legitimate championship belt?"
The former world champion is planning a huge victory this weekend, telling Franklin that he is "digging his own grave" ahead of their meeting. "It’s the worst time [to be fighting me],” Joshua said at a press conference yesterday. “The more he talks, the bigger grave he digs for himself, but it is what it is.”
