Anthony Joshua has admitted he will retire from boxing on Saturday evening if he loses to Jermain Franklin in his comeback fight at the O2 Arena.
The former two-time world champion will return to the ring on Saturday to face the American heavyweight after suffering successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua is looking to make a statement at the ‘Lions Den’ and record his first professional win since December 2020 when he beat Kubrat Pulev via TKO.
However, there is a tremendous amount of pressure on AJ heading into the fight – with many calling for him to hang up his gloves if he is beaten by Franklin.
When asked about the narrative surrounding his career and whether he will retire from boxing if he loses, AJ said: ‘I will. I will retire if I lose.
Anthony Joshua has admitted he will retire from boxing if he loses to Jermain Franklin
Eddie Hearn has said there is a lot of pressure on AJ as Franklin is looking fit and ready to go
‘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 too. It’s not even about the money. It’s about the competitor in you. That’s what’s important.’
AJ went on to discuss the pressure he is under. He said: ‘It comes with the business and it comes with the territory, I know that.’
Joshua went on to say: ‘I know when I am retired, I am gonna be chilling. I’m gonna be thinking f**k everyone. I am done.
‘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.’
Eddie Hearn also touched on the pressure Joshua is under. He told Sportsmail: ‘There is a lot of pressure on this fight.
‘You’ve got Jermaine Franklin here, who is about 28 pounds lighter than he was against Dillian Whyte 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 in the world of the heavyweight division.
AJ described the pressure he is under as being ‘chained’ and expressed his excitement for being free once he retires from the sport
‘For AJ, there is bundles of pressure. He’s back at the O2. He hasn’t boxed there for seven years. It’s where it all started for his debut and it’s a must win fight.
‘I want to see the destructive Anthony Joshua that we all love to watch. But, Franklin is going to put up a tough task.’
Hearn went on to speak about AJ’s mentality. He said: Joshua’s always calm but I think, underneath, he knows the pressure.
‘People talk about whether his career is over if he loses this fight. Well, his world title ambitions are in tatters if he loses this fight and that’s what’s important to him.
‘Defeat would be devastating. So for that reason I think he tries to distance himself and say it’s just another fight but we all know there is a lot on the line on Saturday.’
