“You’re Here Today and Gone Tomorrow”: Anthony Joshua Ropes in Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson While Making Honest Confession About Not Being Loved in Boxing

All of a sudden, it seems like Anthony Joshua has become the talk of the town. Though a two-time unified heavyweight champion, the new gold that he’s struck in the heavyweight division is something that he’s still getting accustomed to. Now, as he stands at the brink of what is to be a lucrative year for him, he details why the sport has rather been unkind to him.

In 2019, Joshua registered his career’s first loss when Andy Ruiz Jr. knocked him to the canvas in the 7th round. That night marked the onset of his downfall. 2 years later, at the English bastion, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he lost his unified heavyweight title to the current unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. Now, after three spectacular wins in a row, Anthony Joshua is slowly rebuilding his yesteryear glories. Now he reveals what the sport of boxing has given him in return for the years he’s put in and the sacrifices he has made.

Is this the era of Anthony Joshua?

With Eddie Hearn by his side, ‘AJ’ emerged from the ashes in 2023. But how is he making his way back to the top? Is boxing doing it for him? No, he says. “I did that. That’s not the sport. I worked my behind off, yeah. I worked hard to put myself in a certain position,” he remarked.

In the first half of the year, despite winning the 2 fights he undertook, the boxing community hardly sided with him. Ariel Helwani, at the MMA Hour, sought Joshua’s response on the lack of love he’s received. He noted, “When I say the sport don’t love you back, unfortunately, in this game, not everyone can be a Muhammad Ali, not everyone can be a Mike Tyson. And unless you are those, the sport don’t love you back. You’re here today and you’re gone tomorrow. It’s like the flavor of the month.”

AJ understands and accepts the temporary nature of popularity in the sport. He stated, “You just have to be aware that when times are good, don’t get too comfortable, and when times are bad, don’t get too comfortable. Just keep balanced, and you’ll go through life at a good pace.”

In the wake of his resurgence in the elite circles, he is now headlining a grand event. On March 8, he fights Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. While that fight won’t lead him to the titles, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, remains positive of the possibility.

Undisputed Champion? That’s the plan!

The fighter-promoter duo seem relentless in their effort to grab the undisputed title. While thanking Hearn for his effort on this path, AJ at a recent presser announced, “I wanted them to reference him as a hall of fame promoter (at the press conference) but they didn’t but I thought I’m not gonna cause any drama today, I’m gonna let it slide. Eddie’s a HOF promoter IMO. He’s guided me from zero up to now.”

Also Read: Anthony Joshua Addresses Eddie Hearn’s “Easy Money” Remark for Francis Ngannou Fight

The English promoter responded on X. He wrote, “This man has shown unbelievable loyalty. Never looked elsewhere, over 10 years together – I truly believe he will finish his career as Undisputed Heavyweight Champion!” Will this fighter-promoter power duo be successful in its pursuit to the top of the heavyweight division? Their confidence in themselves and their relentless pursuit at the moment says ‘yes’.

Will AJ become a three-time heavyweight champion? Let us know in the comments section below.

Watch This Story: Eddie Hearn Names the fighter who can defeat Francis Ngannou within one round