As he prepares to face Jermaine Franklin, Anthony Joshua has set his sights on becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion “within the next 16 months.”
After losing back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 and August 2022, the 33-year-old British Nigerian boxer is currently without a title.
Joshua has been defeated in three of his last five fights, with Andy Ruiz Jr ending his opponent’s 22-fight unbeaten streak.
But the Briton believes he is on the right track, with a rematch with Tyson Fury on the cards if he defeats Franklin at the O2 Arena on Saturday.
“I do and did want respect from people in the industry that I admire, ex-legends in the game, and when you’re no longer a champion, you feel like that goes away,” he explained.
“That was definitely something I yearned for – respect from former champions.” When I lost it, I was like, ‘f***, I’ve lost that invincibility,’ but everything is fine now.
“We make progress. I’m not doing it for that reason anymore because I’m no longer in that position, but the desire?
“One goal is to become champion, which I believe is achievable within the next 16 months.”
“I think we’ll have to wait and see what happens with the belts this year.” Allow them to be competed for, and then potentially let them fly, and we’ll see where the belts land.
“After that, it’s just a matter of staying consistent and focused on improving for the next 12 to 16 months while I’m in title contention.”
Joshua’s fight next weekend will be his first since 2015 that will not be for a world title.
“There are definitely fewer nerves,” he said. “That kind of pressure, that pressure cooker, is a little off.” I can’t lie, the pressure was intense.
“But when you want something so badly, I was really pushing that undisputed narrative, that road to undisputed hashtag with all of the brands we work with for so long.”
“We pushed it, but we’ve reached a new stage.” We can’t go back in time. We’re only looking forward, and I see a bright future, which keeps me upbeat.”
