Anthony Joshua ‘hurt and upset’ by accusations of racism after Black Lives Matter speech, says Eddie Hearn

Heavyweight champion was criticised after encouraging protesters to ‘abstain from spending money in their shops’

Anthony Joshua was “hurt and upset” by those who criticised his speech at a Black Lives Matter protest in Watford, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

The British IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion addressed a gathering in his hometown, where he delivered a powerful speech written by his friend.

Joshua streamed the protest live on his Instagram and encouraged attendees to “abstain from spending your money in their shops and economies and invest in black-owned businesses”.

The majority praised Joshua’s actions, however, others accused the 30-year-old of being racist for his use of “their”.

“He read someone’s speech out, which he may have phrased differently, if he had read it himself,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “People want to interpret the words of that in many different ways. I’ve seen some strange thoughts of what that was supposed to mean.”

Anthony Joshua spoke at a Black Lives Matter protest in Watford on Saturday (Reuters)

“It wasn’t his words, but he did speak some of his own words as well, which was about uplifting his community, investing in his community, which is Watford, and he’s got a seven-figure investment that he’s putting into his own town soon to give people more opportunities.

“He spoke about gang culture being dead, he spoke about making sure that all gatherings and protests were peaceful ones. There were so many positives that came out of what he said.

“I’ve known Anthony Joshua for eight years. I know him inside out. It hurts when some of the accusations have been flying his way.

“So many businesses as well to start realising that we have to make change, because racism is something that runs deep throughout this country. It’s here now and it’s historical, and it has to change.

“I think conversation is good, and I’m very proud of Anthony of his mindset of speaking up and trying to promote what he has always tried to promote, which is to uplift people, to motivate people, to do better, to be better, and to be better people.

After becoming aware of the criticism, Joshua responded with a written message on Instagram.

“I personally spoke from the heart about the Watford community, ideas of us personally investing seven figures to create unity and opportunities and adding change to the African/Caribbean community. Shops aren’t the issue here. Before you talk s*** you better boycott racism. I said what I said and I will act to make change.’”