Anthony Joshua declined talks about his retirement if he fails to defeat Oleksandr Usyk and reclaim his world heavyweight title. The two fighters are scheduled to face each other at their rematch this Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Joshua was defeated by Usyk via a unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September. It was the 32-year-old Briton’s only second defeat in his 26-fight professional career.
The rematch will feature Usyk defending while Joshua reclaiming the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles. The winner will face Tyson Fury in an undisputed bout under conditions.
There is a buzz of suggestions that Joshua may have to retire if he fails to reclaim his titles on Saturday night. The Englishman said that any decision about his career is all up to himself and a defeat by Usyk in the rematch has nothing to do with it.
“I don’t have to do this. Why do I do it? It’s because it’s all I know. This is also my 12th consecutive world title fight. I’ve been in world title fights back to back 12 times.”
“It happens – if you’re fighting people at world level, you’re meeting people of world-level quality. I’m not fighting people who are below par.”, said Joshua as he firmly believes that he can reclaim his titles on Saturday night.
