Two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has announced that he will retire from boxing if he loses to Jermaine Franklin, the American boxer.

Originally scheduled to fight Tyson Fury in November or December, sponsorship issues led to the cancellation of the bout. Joshua will now face Franklin on Saturday at the O2 Arena in Greenwich in London.

After two losses to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022, Joshua hopes to get back into contention for the titles by winning this upcoming match. However, he has stated that he will retire if he loses. According to Joshua, retiring is not about the money but about the competitive spirit in him.

“I will. I will retire if I lose,” Joshua said when asked about a possible end to his career.

“I’m not here to battle people. If people want me to retire I will retire. I’m not going to fight if people don’t want me to.”

“It’s not even about the money. It’s about the competitor in you. That’s what’s important.”

While Joshua downplayed Franklin’s chances, he acknowledged that this fight is crucial for Franklin’s career resurgence. Joshua also shared his post-retirement plans, stating that he will relax and enjoy life. He hopes to be free from the pressure that he has had to bear throughout his boxing career.

“I know when I am retired, I am gonna be chilling,” he said,

“You lot put so much pressure on me so when I am done, the chains are going to be gone. I am going to be laughing and loving life.

“You’ve got Jermaine Franklin here, who is about 28 pounds lighter than he was against Dillian Whyte’s fight.

“He’s now got a six-pack and this is what happens when you’re fighting Anthony Joshua. It’s a chance for him [Franklin] to catapult himself into the world of the heavyweight division.”

Advertisement