Anthony Joshua calls out ‘clown’ pundits after Amir Khan and Carl Froch comments

Joshua will try to bounce back from two straight losses, when he fights Jermaine Franklin on Saturday

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Thursday 30 March 2023 09:55 BST
Comments
Can Anthony Joshua fight his way back to the top of boxing? | You Ask The Questions

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Anthony Joshua has said he refuses to ‘entertain clowns’, responding to criticism from boxing pundits as he prepares to fight Jermaine Franklin.

Joshua will face American Franklin at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, as the Briton seeks to move on from back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk outpointed Joshua in 2021 to win the unified heavyweight titles, which he retained in a rematch with Joshua last August, beating the 33-year-old via decision again. “AJ”’s defeats have drawn criticism from former boxers who now work as pundits, and Joshua has explained his decision to largely stay quiet on their comments.

“I just think these people don’t get me; they’re not on my wavelength,” Joshua told reporters on Wednesday (29 March). “I don’t use boxing as a platform to rant and rave and disrespect my opponents, or act a certain way to prove I am a certain way.

“These people that talk about me are looking for me to say something back, but I don’t have much to say, because these people are not on my level. What do I want to entertain a clown for? That’s what it is.

“If someone has got something to say to me, they can call me. They have my number, I don’t need to go online and voice my opinions on my enemies. I prefer to be silent. If I have something to say about you, you will see me face to face. I will not go online and do it from behind a camera.

“And when these people see you, at a press conference or whatever, they go: ‘AJ, how are you mate?’ How does that work?”

Joshua specifically addressed past comments by former world champions Carl Froch and Amir Khan.

“When it was Froch, I messaged him direct and said: ‘What you talking s*** about me for? Message me.’ With Khan and that s*** with his missus, why was he going online? Just message me if you have something to say.

“I just find it awkward, because my background, where I come from, it’s not about chasing clout; it is about results.”

Joshua’s fight with Franklin, 29, is his first non-world-title bout since 2015, when he stopped Dillian Whyte.

Meanwhile, Franklin’s most recent fight came against Whyte in November. The American suffered a controversial decision defeat by Whyte, with many fans and pundits feeling that Franklin had done enough to win.

Prior to that bout, which marked Franklin’s UK debut, he was unbeaten as a professional.

Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in