Anthony Joshua insists his career is ‘far from over yet’ following a fourth defeat in the paid ranks.
The Watford powerhouse was dropped four times and knocked out by Daniel Dubois on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium in front of 98,000 fans.
Joshua was sent tumbling to the canvas by a big right hand in the opening stanza and was caught on unsteady legs for the remainder of the bout before going out on his shield in the fifth frame.
Despite being advised not to, AJ addressed the media at his post-fight press conference following the crushing defeat.
He didn’t take any questions but insisted wholeheartedly that he wouldn’t be hanging up his gloves just yet.
On Monday afternoon, Joshua doubled down on his stance when he extended a message of thanks to his millions of followers on social media.
“Yesterday night, we came up short but we have to look at all the positives, that is the mindset and that is the perspective we have to have,” he said in a video uploaded to his online platforms.
“A positive one, always. Look at what we have achieved in the space of 11 years, it is phenomenal.
“And I want to thank every single one of you that has been riding with me.
“What a rollercoaster journey! But do you know what the problem is?
“It’s far from over yet. We have done it once, we have done it twice.
“Doing it a third time hasn’t been easy but I believe it is something I can achieve. It’s about making the right steps forward, working hard, improving and it has got to come from here [points at heart] more than anything.
“It can’t come from any external voices or influences, it has got to come from here.
“And it has only been a day but when I sit back and I’m thinking, I know I’ve got a lot of this [heart].
“So yeah, just a video to say thanks for the support, thanks for being on this rollercoaster journey with me.
“Keep your seatbelts tight because deep down in here I know we’ve got a lot more to bring and a lot more to bring to the game.
“Long may it continue. British boxing, I appreciate you, we rise up together. Let’s go!”
Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh had hoped to make the long-awaited all-British showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury next but Dubois has now spoiled those plans.
The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority insisted he would still make both men an offer even if Fury lost his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.
However, he didn’t extend the same exception to AJ.
According to Eddie Hearn, Joshua has a rematch clause in his contract, which he is likely to activate.
But Frank Warren insists ‘Triple D’s’ paperwork is different.
He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “He [Dubois] doesn’t have a rematch in his contract. But there is one in AJ’s contract.
“I haven’t got a problem with a rematch if they want to do it and the terms are all okay. But it is too soon.
“He needs to savour the moment, he has shown what he is all about now fighting four world-ranked fighters this year.”
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News Summary:
- ‘The problem is’ – Anthony Joshua speaks out as he posts first video message after Daniel Dubois KO
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