Anthony Joshua insists he will be “the comeback king” for a second time when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on August 20.
Joshua was outclassed and outpointed in 12 rounds against Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September for the second loss of his professional career.
But he is adamant he will win back his heavyweight world titles when the rematch takes place in Saudi Arabia as he had done against Andy Ruiz Jr.
“I’m the comeback king,” he said on Tuesday. “You can put me down but it’s difficult to keep me down. Even through my tough times, everything will make sense in the long run.
“The hunger’s still there. Blips happen, things happen in life but resilience, mental toughness, consistency will always prevail. I’m still on the road to undisputed [heavyweight champion]. This is just a little blip on the road. I’m focused on the target and goal and, God willing, I’ll perform and became three-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
In a bid to win back his world titles, Joshua has changed his backroom staff, axing trainer Rob McCracken who had guided him in both the amateur and professional ranks and replacing him with Robert Garcia.
Joshua readily admitted that the Ukrainian had “bust my ass for some rounds” and that he held himself accountable rather than anyone else for the loss.
“I can admit when I’m wrong,” he said. “The fight in September I was wrong and he was right. I have to reverse that role in August 20. If I keep things simple, I can achieve great things. I’m going to keep things simple.
“With Andy Ruiz, I think a lot of people can see before the fight things weren’t 100 per cent. You have to be strong, thick skinned. You take your loss like a man. I knew I could come back again and do what I have to do again.”
