Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has seen his profile cut down to size after suffering three defeats in his past five fights. However, being brought back down to earth could see the boxing star propelled to new heights in time following a switch to “extremely humble” surroundings for his latest training camp.
“I feel like the problem with back home in England in that set-up was he was almost like God.” It’s unsurprising Joshua is treated with such reverence on home soil given he spent much of his professional career as the darling of British boxing.
The 33-year-old initially blazed through his pro competition and built a 22-0 record after winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics. But he finds himself in a far different space now, hoping to bounce back from successive defeats for the first time in his career.
“He didn’t want it to be that way, but he would walk in, and he’d be in a situation where everyone would say, ‘What do you want to do, AJ?’” added Hearn. “Now, he’s just being told. He’s worked really hard, and he’s ready to fight on April 1.”
This is the first time 27-3 Joshua has completed a training camp outside his native England. Hearn previously remarked the former heavyweight king ‘couldn’t breathe’ training in the United Kingdom, hoping a step outside his comfort zone will revive some of the fighter’s former glories.
Upcoming opponent Franklin, 29, only narrowly lost to Dillian Whyte when he suffered a majority-decision defeat to ‘The Body Snatcher’ at Wembley Arena in November. The 22-1 American will make a swift return to English soil when he faces Joshua at the O2 Arena next month, hoping to rain on his parade and get back on the win trail himself.
There’s no telling what a third straight defeat would do for Joshua’s future prospects, though he’ll return to London as an overwhelming favourite to get back in victory lane. Future dates against the likes of Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder have been teased provided AJ lives up to those expectations, and a return to his boxing roots could be the ignition needed to jumpstart a highly anticipated comeback.
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