In 2019, after Anthony Joshua suffered his first professional defeat to Andy Ruiz, many people lost faith in his ability as a boxer and questioned his passion for the sport. However, such doubts fail to account for Joshua’s remarkable resilience and unwavering dedication to his craft. Yes, there were two back to back defeats in his bout with Oleksandr Usyk but, defeat is a part of sports, and even the most successful athletes experience it from time to time. Now, what sets great athletes apart is their ability to bounce back from defeat and use it as motivation to improve and achieve greater success.
Despite facing setbacks and criticism, Joshua remained committed to his training and worked tirelessly to improve his technique and physical conditioning. He refused to let defeat define him and instead used it as a catalyst for growth and improvement.
Moreover, Joshua’s actions outside of the ring demonstrate his genuine love for the sport of boxing. He has actively supported and invested in local boxing programs and has served as an inspiration for young athletes around the world.
The last fight with Jermaine Franklin may not have ended with a knockout but it is hard to deny there was no improvement ., Joshua has also made it clear he wants to be back in the ring in 12 weeks. That doesn’t sound like one who has lost the zeal or “fire” for boxing. To claim that Joshua lacks passion for boxing is a misguided assessment that fails to recognize the true depth of his dedication and perseverance.
Joi John
Photo credits: Getty images, BBC.